1st Year Student Guide

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL SCHOOL STUDENT GUIDE
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CONTENTS

1. WELCOME ............................................................................................................ 4
2. SOME SUGGESTIONS ......................................................................................... 5
3. ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2011-2012 .................................................................... 6
4. INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL PROFESSION - 1
ST
SEMESTER ..................... 7
5. HUMAN BODY - 1
ST
SEMESTER ...................................................................... 14
6. FROM ATOMS TO CELLS - 1
ST

SEMESTER .................................................. 30
7. HUMAN BODY - 2
ND
SEMESTER ...................................................................... 45
ND
SEMESTER .................................................. 52
9. THE FACULTY .................................................................................................... 68
10. TIMETABLE 1
ST
SEMESTER .............................................................................. 75


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1. WELCOME

Dear 1st year student,

Welcome to the International Medical School of the University of Milan, located
at and supported by Istituto Clinico Humanitas.
You are starting a 6 years long journey, which will require a great deal of
motivation, dedication, reflection and a strong will to succeed. Indeed, being a MD is not
an easy task; so it is for the School, which has been designed to transform you, a
young high school graduated, into a doctor, and to train you, since the very beginning,
for a highly rewarding but also difficult everyday professional life.
We are confident that you shall be able to perform successfully; we shall be
always alongside with you in your journey.
We would recommend reading carefully the General Information, in order to
understand the principles of our School. Also, 1
st
year Guide will give you detailed
information on your teachers, on the learning objectives of the blocks, on the timetable
of your academic year.
Finally, remember that learning and teaching without passion is not an effective
way to proceed and that passion requires relationship. They are the two faces of the
same process, i.e. your intellectual and professional growth. Therefore, consider your
teachers not just as professors, but rather as coaches, with whom to proceed in your
journey.

So, do not be afraid to be passionate.

We sincerely hope that we shall work together for the next 6 years, and that
you shall become a responsible doctor, capable to effectively practice within the society
you shall live in and work starting from the year 2018.

It is a long way, but it is also a wonderful adventure into the future.

Good luck!

The Office for Medical Education, the Faculty and the Staff
of the University of Milan and Istituto Clinico Humanitas.


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2. SOME SUGGESTIONS

1) Start studying tonight and keep studying every day, weekends (partly) included.
2) Every evening check the timetable of the following day and give a look to the
textbooks to better follow the lectures.
3) Read carefully the syllabus of each block, and plan your study accordingly.
4) Never procrastinate study until just prior to exams: this will generate poor
results and inadequate professional growth.
5) If you fail to study daily, you must expect a poor outcome.
6) Do not skip or miss lectures or other activities.
7) Do not study by heart. Always strive to understand what you are studying, since
even the simplest topic has a great impact on your professional standard.
8) Attend all scientific conferences.
9) Never quit to be curious and wonder.
10) Do not hesitate to ask for help, but only if you cannot make it by yourself.
11) Do not hesitate to email your teachers.
12) Do not be afraid to ask questions during lectures.
13) Always look for the clinical relevance of basic sciences.
14) Get used, if you are not, to MCQ.
15) Always remember: scientific research and knowledge are the basis for a good
clinical practice.
16) Be passionate in studying and learning: it helps in remembering and
understanding.
17) Always keep an eye on what its happening inside yourself.
18) Enjoy your participation to group activities: by sharing you will learn a lot and
more.
19) Take some breaks, time to time, to enjoy life.
20) Be good, if not, be careful.


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3. ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2011-2012

September 11
2011-2012

October 11
Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2 3 1
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
25 26 27 28 29 30 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31

November 11 Dicember 11 January 12

February 12
Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 31 26 27 28 29

March 12 April 12 May 12

June 12
1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 1 2
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 29 30 27 28 29 30 31 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

July 12 August 12 September 12

October 12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 1 1 2 3 4 5 6
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 21 22 23 24 25 26 27
29 30 31 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 28 29 30 31
30
Holidays and Observances
Nov 01 Tutti I Santi Dec 7-11 Immacolata
Dec 23-
Jan 08
Natale
Feb 23-25 Carnevale Apr 5-11 Pasqua Apr 25 Liberazione
May 01 Festa del Lavoro Jun 02
Festa della
Repubblica
1-31
Agust
Summer Holidays

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4. INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL PROFESSION - 1
ST
SEMESTER

INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL PROFESSION

Professors: Battezzati, Bertazzi, Brancaccio, Lippi, Podda, Zannini
Tutors: Lleo, Oldani, Montagna, Visioli

Year/Semester
1st year ( 1st semester)

Textbooks
No textbook is required. Journal articles will be provided during lessons and a pdf copy
of them will be available on the courses web site.

Credits
4

Overview
This block is aimed at introducing medical students to doctoring and professionalism in
medical practice. Some pivotal concepts such as: health and disease; doctor-patient
relationship; the impact of biomedical technologies on patients illness; different models
of medicine; curing and caring, will be interactively explored from a historical and a
contemporary point of view. Since medical professionalism features not only knowledge
and technical skills but also communication skills, responsiveness to patients and
society, tolerance of ambiguity and anxiety, respect for patients and attentiveness, and
critical curiosity and reflection, students will also be trained in a narrative-based
perspective. This means that some novels, films and fine arts will be used in scheduled
workshops as a fundamental tool for training students to read the patient and his
experience and to analyse their personal reactions to illness and suffering.
Furthermore, students (mentored by doctors) will be given the opportunity to observe
patients in the clinical context to deepen the illness experience. They will be asked to
keep a journal of their clinical experience, since reflective writing has shown to be an
essential tool in developing reflection in healthcare students/professionals and therefore
professionalism.

TEACHING METHODS
The block fosters active learning and places emphasis on a reflective approach. In
addition to lectures, medical humanities workshops (based on novels, films and fine arts

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analysis and discussion) will be held to activate students reflection on many topics
related to the medical profession. Some of these workshops will be optional.
Furthermore, students will be required to keep a journal of their brief observational
experience in the clinical setting. Some extracts of these journals will be discussed in
small groups, facilitated by the course tutors

EXAMS
The exam consists of two steps:
1. a written short essay that the student will write at home, choosing a title
among a list of about 20 topics discussed in the classroom. To write their
essays, in addition to the references provided during lectures, students can
also refer to the short tales, the movies or fine arts analyzed during the lessons,
and to their reflections about early clinical experience, connecting them with the
courses topics (e.g. bio-psycho-social model of medicine, medical
professionalism, history of medicine, etc.).
The short essay must have the following characteristics:
No less than 2500 words no longer than 3500 words (References, Figures etc.
excluded).
It is written in the impersonal form (e.g. It has been pointed out) apart from
the students reflective journal quotations, that will be in the personal form
It can include quotations, but the number of words of quotations must not
exceed 15% of the number of words composing the essay
It can include quotations from students reflective writing (it will be carried on
during the clinical activities). In this case, the third person must be avoided.

Students will be trained on how to write the short essay during the last lesson.

2. an oral interview that will be focused on the written essay and the topics and
materials presented during the courses lessons (History of medicine,
Pedagogy, Occupational/environmental medicine, Internal medicine). Teachers
will give feedback on the students short essay and his/her performance during
the interview. They could also verify the achievement of some lectures learning
objectives by the student. He/she may be requested to rewrite the essay if
considered inadequate.

The short essay will be evaluated following the criteria:
Comprehensibility and logic articulation

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Pertinence of cited journal articles/books (referring primarily to courses
references that students MUST read and eventually criticize).
Students capacity of distinguishing personal opinions from those of the experts
Pertinence of students reflections/experiences reported in the essay
Reflective attitude

Timing and general organization of the exams
1
st
semester
Students will be provided with a short essays list of titles during the last lesson.
Students will have to send their essay to the course tutor (Licia Montagna
licia.montagna@humanitas.it ) at least 15 days before the chosen date for the oral
exam (January or February).

In case students don't pass the summative exam in January, they can take the exam in
February.
Students who dont pass the exam in February can take the exam at the end of the II
semester (June/July or September)

Registration to final exams through SIFA is mandatory for each session.

LECTURES & WORKSHOPS
The course consists of 10 lectures (compulsory), 2 mandatory workshops (A, B) and 2
optional workshops (C, D). Learning objectives are listed for each lesson, representing
the specific knowledge that the student will show to have acquired during the oral exam.

1. Introduction to the doctor-patient relationship and medical professionalism.
Introduction and review of the class syllabus. Analysis of a simulated doctor-patient
relationship and completion of an observation grid. Taking medical notes from the
diagnosis of the disease and understanding the illness experience. The meaning of
medical professionalism.
Learning objectives
Describe the general features of the doctor-patient encounter;
Discriminate questions when taking medical histories aimed at investigating
biological, psychological and sociological aspects of illness;
Define medical professionalism and describe its different components.


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2. Introduction to History of Medicine.
History of the history of medicine: trends, sources, aims (the concept and evolution
of medicine according to classical authors; the current situation; iconodiagnosis,
paleopathology, history of medicine);
Learning objectives
Discuss history (and humanities as a whole) as a research discipline that
enriches understanding of present-day medicine.
Stimulate a sense of scepticism with regard to the dogma of the rest of the
medical curriculum and against a concept of progress as a continuous self-
overcome.
Illustrate the different theories concerning medicine in the West from classical
antiquity to the twentieth century.
Describe how to work with historical sources, and how to identify and read
primary sources.

3. The bio-psycho-social model of medicine - the concepts of disease, illness
and sickness.
The birth of the biomedical model of medicine. The need for a new model of medicine.
The pathway of British general practitioners. The concepts of disease, illness and
sickness. The role of culture in shaping the illness experience. Lessons learned from
the anthropological studies of the Harvard Medical School
A new model: narrative-based medicine. Analysis of illness narratives.
Learning objectives
Define the biomedical and the bio-psycho-social model of medicine;
Explain why the need for a new model of medicine was perceived at
the end of the 1970s;
Indicate the aspects of illness and/or sickness, given a patients
narrative.
Generally describe the meaning of medical anthropology and some
results from the anthropological studies of the Harvard Medical School
Describe the narrative-based medicine model

A . Movie analysis and discussion (attendance required).
Interviewing skills. Giving bad news. The psychosocial impact of terminal illness.
Balancing work and home: The medical marriage. Medical students and training
residents.

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Research results to deepen the movie discussion: Can doctors certificated
communication skills predict patients complaints to medical regulatory authorities? A
study conducted with 3424 physicians.

4. Work, environment and health: the role of nature and nurture in disease
causation and disease prevention.
The lecture will highlight the epidemiological evidence and the mechanistic models
(physiological, biochemical and molecular) that describe the tight relation linking human
environment and human health. This can be made by combining historical examples of
disaster occurrence (Mina Mata, Seveso, Chernobyl, asbestos epidemics,) and
advanced knowledge on the mechanistic pathways explaining the work-environment-
health relation.
Learning objectives
Increase awareness of the relevance that the history, the culture,
and the natural, built and social environments have in the process of
disease causation and health promotion for individual people and the
community as a whole.
Document the many ways in which this awareness positively affects
the medical practice, in both the approach to the patient and in the
diagnostic and therapeutic processes.
Tutorially show how a critical, valid and updated information on the
most relevant exogenous risk factors can be acquired.
Provide an overview of the interactions of those factors with the
genome and the epigenome in the human body.

5. History of the clinical relationship.
From teurgic medicine to natural philosophy; Hippocrates; the so called Hippocratic
oath; incubatio and quackery.
Learning objectives
Discuss how different ideas about Medicine contribute to different types of
doctor/patient interactions, explaining the reasons for the rise of narrative
medicine.
Describe the emergence of western Medicine as a profession, the history of
medical education, the role of science in shaping and legitimizing medical
practice from the end of the 18th century.
Discuss the medical market place and how patients have navigated their way
among a range of caregivers and health professionals from the past to the
present

6. The process of the clinical reasoning.

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Analysis of a simulated doctor-patient relationship .The hypothetic-deductive process.
Role of Evidence Based medicine (EBM) in clinical reasoning.
Learning objectives:
Describe the hypothetic-deductive process
Define EBM
Explain the role of EBM in clinical practice

Workshop B Introduction to reflective writing (attendance required).
The role of reflection in learning from clinical practice. Writing a journal as a core
strategy for learning from experience. Features of a reflexive journal. Writing exercises

7. History of the concept of health-care
The notion of hospitalitas and the transformations of hospitals; a virtual trip in
Florence; I. Semmelweis, P. A. Louis and F. Nightingale- Evidence Based Medicine and
Evidence Based Nursing)
Learning objectives
Discuss the history and evolution of health care systems, focusing on how
health care came into being, understanding the forces that have shaped the
management of hospitals and health systems in the past, underlining the role of
the pioneers of EBM.
Discuss various approaches to the understanding of the history of disease;
Describe how both the epidemiology of diseases and ideas about them are
shaped by social, economic and cultural forces, as well as by changing
understandings of medical science

Workshop C. Illness and care in the literature (attendance optional)
Analysis of selected passages from a novel. Research results to deepen the novels
discussion

8. Medicine and Art, liaisons dangereux
Medicine in Art and Art in Medicine; Medicine as an Art and Art as medicine.
Students will start from the basic history of the practice of anatomical dissection,
learning how it has been integrated into medical education. They will recognise the
historical evolution of anatomy as an important component of Medicine, identifying the
relationship between art and anatomy and considering the different approaches of
medicine as art or as science.
Learning objectives:

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Understand how works of art are influenced by social, political, economic and
educational factors.
Discuss the use of images in a medical environment.
Comment on the associations between art, medicine and health, and on their
past and present.
Reflect on the role of Art in Hospital in healthcare.

Workshop D. The art of observation in the clinical environment (attendance
optional)
Fine arts as a strategy to train observational abilities and pattern recognition. Pattern
recognition and clinical reasoning.

Seminar - Medicine, Knowledge and Philosophy of Science (Guest Lecturer)
Medicine, Knowledge and Philosophy of Science: the importance of embodiment and
evolution to cognition. Lessons learned from Francisco Varela and Stephen J. Gould,
biologists
Learning objectives
Introduction to embodiment and self-organization: the role in evolution and
cognition
Discussion of a systems approach to evolution and cognition of new insights
and evidences from the natural history of mind

10.Final considerations
Students questions. How to prepare for the assessment (short essay). Module
evaluation.

Early clinical experience
Students will have a brief observational experience in the clinical setting. Students will
be divided in small groups and mentored by tutors. They will be provided with an
observational grid that will help them in organizing reflections on their early clinical
experience. During the observational experience, students will also be required to keep
a journal, that will be discussed in dedicated Tutorial on journal writing, facilitated by the
courses tutors.

Tutorial on journal writing
Tutorial will be held when all the students have completed the observational experience
in the clinical contest.


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5. HUMAN BODY - 1
ST
SEMESTER

HUMAN BODY

Faculty: Isabella Barajon, Claudia Dellavia, Nicoletta Gagliano, Chiarella Sforza

Year/Semester
1st year/1st and 2nd semester, 2nd year/1st semester, 4th year /2nd semester

Credits
25

Textbooks

Clinically Oriented Anatomy
Lippincott Williams & Wilkin, 2009

Gray's Anatomy The Anatomical Basis Of Clinical Practice
Churchill Livingstone, 2008

Histology A Text And Atlas - With Correlated Cell And Molecular Biology
Lippincott Williams & Wilkin, 2006

Human Embryology And Developmental Biology
Mosby, 2009

Wheater's Functional Histology: A Text And Colour Atlas .Barbara

Larsen's Human Embryology

Overview
The block addresses the organization of the human body from the cellular and tissue
level to the organ/system level, including how this organization comes into being during
development.
The course integrates the systematic and topographic approach in relation to the
clinical practice. The core of knowledge acquired during this block is fundamental to
understand the functions and pathologies of the different organs and systems
Part of Neuroanatomy and of Anatomy of the Head and Neck regions will be integrated
in courses of the second year (Functions) and fourth year (Neurosciences, Head and
Neck).


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General learning goals
Describe cells, cell ultrastructure, and tissues and the functional aspects in
relation to the morphological organization.
Describe gametogenesis, fertilization, the early stages of embryonic
development, and the key mechanisms leading to organogenesis.
Illustrate the main morphological events and the relevant related molecular
aspects characterizing the development of the body and its various organ
systems in order to: acquire the vision of the adult anatomy through a dynamic
developmental view and understand the basis of congenital defects
Illustrate the structural principles underlying the functions of organs and
systems
Illustrate the general principles of the body plan at both the systematic (organs
and systems) and the topographic level (regions of the body and corresponding
deep spaces)

Learning/teaching methods
- lectures
- Tutorial activities at the light microscope
- PBL

Exams
Assessment methods: multiple choice tests and oral assessment, slide diagnosis at the
light microscope. At the end of the first semester students will be evaluated through a
multiple choice test and for their ability to describe and recognize histological
preparations at the light microscope. In case of failure, It will be possible to retake the
test before the beginning of the second semester. A second multiple choice test will be
performed at the end of the second semester. Students that will have successfully
passed both tests will be admitted to the oral exam. Before each oral exam session it
will be possible to retake both tests. In case of failure of the oral exam, the tests will be
kept valid through the summer session and for the fall session.
Multiple choice tests and oral evaluation, slide diagnosis at the light microscope.



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MODULES 1
ST
SEMESTER

Module 1: Cells and Tissues

Overwiew
Morphology and tissue organization of human cells and tissues will be discussed, as
well as the main methods and the instruments for morphological analysis. On this basis,
the morphological and structural aspects of cell and tissues will be described in relation
to their functional role. Lectures will be integrated with Tutorial at the light microscope
where students will learn how to observe, describe and recognize different tissues.

Lesson 1 Presentation of the course. Introduction to histology. From tissue
sample collection to the observation at the microscope.
Learning goals
Describe the main techniques used in histology.
Describe the general aspects of histological specimen processing, such as
inclusion, fixation and sectioning.
Describe the main commonly used histological and histochemical stainings.

Lecture 2 Instruments for morphological analysis and biomedical applications:
not simple microscopes.
Learning goals
Describe the main instruments for the morphological analysis and their
application in the different fields of medicine for both research and diagnostic
purposes.

Lecture 3 A journey into the cell: from outside to cell compartments.
Learning goals
Describe the structure of cell membrane and the mechanisms of transport
across the cell membrane.
Describe the specialized functions of cell membrane.
Describe the structure of both rough and smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and
know their specific functions.
Describe the structure of the Golgi apparatus and know its functions.
Describe the structure of ribosomes and their specific functions.

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Describe the ultrastructure of cell membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi
apparatus and ribosomes

Lecture 4 Vesicle trafficking. Exocytosis and endocytosis. Lysosomes.
Peroxisomes. Mitochondria.
Learning goals
Describe vesicle trafficking and the mechanisms involved in directing vesicles
to the different cell compartments.
Describe the mechanisms of endocytosis.
Describe the mechanisms of exocytosis
Describe the structure of lysosomes and peroxysomes, and their specific
functions.
Describe the ultrastructure of lysosomes and peroxysomes.
Describe the structure of mitochondria and their functions.
Describe mitochondria morphology and localization in relation to cell type and
cell function.
Describe the ultrastructure of mitochondria

Lecture 5 A journey through the cell: from the nucleus to the cell cycle.
Introduction to tissues.
Learning goals
Describe the shape of the nucleus in relation to cell morphology.
Describe the nucleus and chromatin arrangement.
Describe the nuclear envelope and the structure of the nuclear pore.
Describe the nucleolus and its functional role.
Describe the morphological aspect of the nucleus during mitosis and apoptosis.
Describe the phases of cell cycle.
Describe the different cell population according to their pattern of growth.
Describe the general relationships between cells, tissue, organs and systems.

Lecture 6 Introduction to epithelia. Cell junctions and cytoskeleton.
Learning goals
Describe the general aspect and function of epithelia.
Describe describe the light microscopy and the ultrastructure of intracellular
junctions, and discuss their functions.
Describe microfilaments and intermediate filaments, with particular attention to
their role of stabilizing structures of cell junctions.
Describe microtubules at the morphological and functional level, with particular
attention to their arrangement in apical specializations of epithelial cells.


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Lecture 7 Lining epithelia: classification and localizations.
Learning goals
Describe the general aspects and function of lining epithelia.
Describe the structure and functions of apical and basal specializations of
epithelial cells.
Describe the types and the functions of epithelial cells.
Describe the relationship between morphology and function in epithelial cells.
Classify the different epithelia that cover or line an organ, and describe their
localization.
Describe the structure of epidermis and the cell types that are contained.
Describe the structure and function of the basement membrane.

Lecture 8 Exocrine glands.
Learning goals
Describe the general aspect and function of exocrine glands.
Distinguish unicellular from multicellular exocrine glands.
Compare the histological aspect and microscopic structure of the major
multicellular exocrine glands.
Describe the interrelationship and functions of the intercalated duct, striated
duct, and interlobular duct.

Lecture 9 Endocrine glands.
Learning goals
Describe the general aspect and function of endocrine glands.
Describe the cytological and histological characteristics of the endocrine
glands, and recognize their structure.
Describe the functional role of the hypophyseal portal circulation in the
regulation of pituitary secretions.
Describe the functional role of the nervous system in coordinating the actions of
the endocrine glands.

Lecture 10 Connective tissue: cellular components and extracellular matrix.
Learning goals
Describe the general organization of the connective tissue.
Describe the key morphological and functional differences between epithelia
and connective tissue.

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Identify the cellular components of connective tissue and describe their
functional role.
Describe the components of the extracellular matrix, and their interrelationship.
Describe the general mechanisms responsible for collagen and extracellular
matrix turnover in physiologic conditions, and the possible effect of their
unbalance in pathological conditions.

Lecture 11 Connective tissue: connective tissue proper.
Learning goals
IIlustrate the classification, the properties and typical locations of the various
types of connective tissues: loose, dense regular, dense irregular, adipose,
elastic, and reticular.
Describe the localization and understand the functional roles of the different
connective tissues.

Lecture 12 Specialized connective tissue: cartilage.
Learning goals
Describe how the cellular and extracellular components of cartilage contribute
to its structure and function.
Describe the mechanisms of cartilage growth.
Recognize the three classifications of cartilage tissue.
Describe the main localizations of cartilage in the human body.

Lecture 13 Specialized connective tissue: bone and osteogenesis.
Learning goals
Describe the cellular and extracellular components of bone, and discuss how
they contribute to the structure and function of this tissue.
Recognize the differences between compact and spongy bone, and compare
their functions.
Describe the periosteum and its functional role.
Describe the mechanisms of bone growth.
Describe the mechanisms of bone remodelling and repair.

Lecture 14 Specialized connective tissue: blood and hemopoiesis.
Learning goals
Describe the components and the general functions of blood.
Differentiate red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, and describe their
functional role.
Describe the cytological and histological aspect of red blood cells, white blood
cells and platelets

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Describe the main steps of haemostasis.
To describe the developmental precursors of erythrocytes, leukocytes and
platelets.
To determine the morphological changes that occur during differentiation into
an erythrocyte and a granulocyte.

Lecture 15 Lymphoid organs (lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, tonsils).
Learning goals
Describe the structure of the lymph node and how it accommodates its function.
Recognize how the structure of the spleen accommodates its function.
Recognize how the structure of the thymus accommodates its function.
Distinguish the structural and functional organization of the MALT.

Lecture 16 Muscle: skeletal and cardiac muscle tissues.
Learning goals
Describe the components of skeletal muscle, and understand their functions.
Describe the structure of myofibrils.
Describe the sarcomere structure and the principles of striated muscle
contraction.
Describe the arrangement of the sarcoplasmatic reticulum and its function
during muscle contraction.
Recognize skeletal muscle in histological preparations.
Describe the structure and function of endomysium, perimysium and
epimysium in a skeletal muscle
List the morphological criteria to recognize skeletal and cardiac muscle in
histological preparations.
Discuss the functional differences between skeletal and cardiac muscle.

Lecture 17 Muscle: smooth muscle tissue. Nervous tissue (Neurons. Nerve
fibers).
Learning goals
Describe the morphological criteria to recognize cardiac and smooth muscle in
histological preparations.
Discuss the functional differences between skeletal, smooth and cardiac
muscle.
Describe the main localizations of smooth muscle tissue.
Describe the general principles of smooth muscle contraction.

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To describe the structure and the general function of neurons.
To describe the structural relationships between the axon, myelin sheath, node
of Ranvier, Schmidt-Lantermann clefts, and the Schwann cell.
Describe the process of myelination and myeline function.
Recognize nerve tissue in histological sections.
Distinguish the endoneurium, perineurium and epineurium of a peripheral
nerve.

Lecture 18 Nervous tissue (Synapses. Neuroglia. Peripheral nerve terminals).
Principles of organ architecture
Learning goals
Describe the structure of synapses and their role in the transmission of nerve
impulse
Describe the morphology and the general function of glial cells, and their
relationship with neurons.
Describe the haemato-encephalic barrier and its role.
Recognize specialized sensory neuronal endings and their main localization.
Describe the general architecture of organs.

Tutorial/Histology 1 Lining epithelia.
Learning goals
Distinguish the different components of a standard light microscope and to be
able to use it.
Recognize and describe at the microscope different simple and stratified
epithelia.

Tutorial/Histology 2 Exocrine and endocrine glands.
Learning goals
Recognize and describe at the microscope different exocrine glands.

Tutorial/Histology 3 Connective tissue
Learning goals
Recognize and describe at the microscope different connective tissues.

Tutorial/Histology 4 Muscle and nervous tissue.
Learning goals
Recognize and describe at the microscope different muscle tissues.
Recognize and describe at the microscope neurons and glial cells.

Tutorial/Histology 5 Revision of all the tissues.

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Learning goals
Recognize and compare the different tissues.

Tutorial/Histology 6 Revision of all the tissues.
Learning goals
Recognize and compare the different tissues.

Module 2a Intrauterine development.

Overwiew
The key mechanisms leading to both male and female gametogenesis, and to
fertilization will be discussed, as well as the early stages of the human embryonic
development.

Lecture 19 Introduction. Male gametogenesis. Testes and cycle of the
seminiferous epithelium. Introduction to genital ducts.
Learning goals
Describe the general histological organization of the testis and epididymis.
Describe the process of spermatogenesis.
Describe the structural changes that occur in the spermatids during
spermiogenesis.
Describe the various cell types of the seminiferous tubule and of the interstitium
of the testis.
Describe the relationship between the Sertoli cells and developing sperm cells.
Compare the structure and function of the epididymides and genital ducts.
Describe the "blood-testis" barrier and explain why it is important.

Lecture 20 Female gametogenesis. Ovary and uterus. Maturation of follicles and
menstrual cycle.
Learning goals
Describe the histological organization of the ovaries.
Describe the process of oogenesis, folliculogenesis, and ovulation.
Discuss the relationship of the ovarian follicle, corpus luteum and corpus
albicans.
Illustrate the changes in the ovaries during ageing process.
Describe those cells involved in steroid production within the ovary.

- 23 -
Describe the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis and how this relates to
monthly changes in the ovaries.
Describe the general structure of the uterus and uterine tubes.
Describe the cyclic changes of the endometrium.
Describe the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis and how this relates to
monthly changes in the uterus.

Lecture 21 Fertilization. Early stages of the embryo development. Segmentation.
Morula. Blastocyst implantation
Learning goals
Describe the process of fertilization and the phases of zygote cleavage.
Describe the implantation and continuation of embryonic development.
Describe the formation of the amniotic cavity and of the embryonic disc.

Lecture 22 Gastrulation. The notochord and its role in embryo development.
Ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm development.
Learning goals
Describe the role of primitive streak and primitive node.
Describe the notochord and its role.
Describe the formation of the neural tube and of neural crest.
Illustrate the timing and development of primitive layers: endoderm, ectoderm
and mesoderm.

Lecture 23 Embryo annexes.
Learning goals
Describe the amniotic cavity.
Describe the allantois.
Describe the chorionic villi and their functional role.
Describe the placenta and the fetal-placental circulation.

Module 2b System development and organ structure.

Overwiew
Some major topics in organogenesis will be discussed as to understand the main
morphological events and the related molecular aspects characterizing the
development of the body and its various organ systems. On this basis, the
morphological and structural features of mature organs will be described stressing
functional aspects. Lectures on the structural features of organs will be integrated with
Tutorial at the light microscope where students will learn how to observe, describe and
diagnose different organs.

- 24 -

Lecture 24 Planning is everything. The 4th week: establishing the body plan.
Learning goals
Illustrate the concept of organogenesis
Describe the destiny of the three embryonic layers
Illustrate the concept of segmentation
Describe the outcome of the folding of the embryo
Explain some basic molecular aspects characterizing the establishment of the
body plan

Lecture 25 A place for everything and everything in its right place. Development
of the digestive system.
Learning goals
Illustrate how the different portion of the digestive system develop from the
primitive gut
Describe the positioning of the different organs in the body cavities
Describe the formation of the peritoneum
Explain some basics molecular aspects characterizing the histogenesis of the
organs
Illustrate the basis of the most common malformations of the digestive system

Lecture 26 Through stormy seas and acid rainsMacroscopic aspects,
functional architecture and structure of the esophagus, gastrointestinal tract,
pancreas and liver (Part I).
Learning goals
IIlustrate the general structural organization of the digestive system in relation
to the functions of digestion and absorption
Describe the external and internal morphology of the esophagus and stomach
and to know their histological structure
Describe the cell types of the stomach glands and their function
Describe the distribution of enteroendocrine cells and their role

Lecture 27 Strange landscapes and narrow passagewaysMacroscopic aspects,
functional architecture and structure of the oesophagus, gastrointestinal tract ,
pancreas and liver (Part II).
Learning goals

- 25 -
Describe the external and internal morphology of the small and large intestine
and to know their histological structure
Describe the structure of the intestinal villi and crypts and the major cell types
of their epithelial lining
Describe the organization of the lymphoid tissue in the intestinal wall
Describe the basic organization of the enteric nervous system
Describe the internal morphology of the rectum and anal canal
Describe the macroscopic aspect of the liver and to discuss the organization of
its parenchyma in relation to the different types of hepatic lobules
Describe the gallbladder and the intrahepatic and extrahepatic billiary tracts

Lecture 28 Shall we breath? Development of the lower respiratory tract.
Learning goals
Illustrate the formation of the tracheobronchial tree and its segmental pattern
Explain some basic molecular aspects characterizing the branching mechanism
Describe the stages of lung maturation and their relation to breathing capacities
Illustrate the mechanisms contributing to lung maturation
Illustrate the basis of the most common malformations of the respiratory system

Lecture 29 Every breath you take. Macroscopic aspects, functional architecture
and structure of the lower respiratory tract.
Learning goals
Illustrate the outline of the respiratory pathways
Describe the macroscopic aspects of the lungs and their lobes
Describe the organization of the tracheal-bronchial tree
Illustrate the histological features of the conductive portion and of the
respiratory portions of the tracheobronchial tree
Describe the morphofunctional aspects of the pulmonary lobule and acinus
Describe the microcirculation of the lungs
Describe the structure of the alveoli and the structure of the gas-exchange
barrier

Lecture 30 About water. Development of the urogenital system.
Learning goals
Illustrate the formation of the three successive forms of the embryonic kidney
and their destiny
Describe the formation of the uriniferous tubule
Describe the positional changes of the kidney and related structures
Describe the formation of the bladder and urethra

- 26 -
Illustrate the development of the gonads and the establishment of their gender
(integration with the course From Atom to Cell on the subject of genetic
determination of sexual differentiation)
Describe the formation of the sexual duct system
Describe the positional changes of the gonads
Describe the formation of the external genitalia
Illustrate the most common congenital anomalies of the urinary and genital
systems

Lecture 31 The cathedral of water. Macroscopic aspects, functional architecture
and structure of the kidney, ureters and lower urinary tract.
Learning goals
Describe the macroscopic aspect of the kidney
Describe the structural organization of the kidney parenchyma and its vascular
supply in relation to process of blood filtration and urine production
Describe the macrosocopic aspect and the general structure of the excretory
pathways calyxes pelvis, ureters and bladder.
Describe the male and female urethra (The morpho-functional description of the
different segments of the nephron and collecting ducts, of the structural
aspects of the filtration barrier and of the iuxta-glomerular apparaturs will be
integrated during the second year in the course Functions)

Lecture 32 Procreation and recreation. Macroscopic aspects, functional
architecture and structure of the male and female reproductive system.
Learning goals
Describe the morphology of the ovary, uterine tubes, uterus and vagina
Describe the structure of these organs and their cyclic changes
Describe the different components of the male reproductive system
Describe the morphology of the testicle, epididmus, spermatic pathways and
accessory glands
Describe the main structural aspects of the epididimus, spermatic pathways
and accessory glands
Describe the different portions of the male urethra and the penis

Lecture 33 Once there was a fishThe primordial pharynx and the pharyngeal
apparatus.
Learning goals

- 27 -
Describe the pharyngeal apparatus and its relation to the primordial pharynx
Illustrate how the different components of the pharyngeal apparatus contribute
to the formation of various structures of the head and neck
Describe the development of the thyroid gland
Describe the most common anomalies of the pharyngeal apparatus

Lecture 34 A sound structure. Overview of the pharynx. Macroscopic aspects,
functional architecture and structure of the larynx.
Learning goals
Illustrate the morphology of the pharynx in relation to its dual function
(respiratory and digestive tracts)
Describe the morphology and the main structural aspects of the larynx
Illustrate the distribution of the lymphatic tissue in the pharynx and larynx

Lecture 35 Coming and going. Structure of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels.
Learning goals
Describe the structure of arteries and vein in relation to their function
Describe the different types of capillaries in relation to their function
Describe the structure of lymphatic vessels

Lecture 36 Home-plumbing. Layout of the vascular system.
Learning goals
Describe the general layout of the arterial, venous and lymphatic vessels

Lecture 37 The declaration of independence. Development of the cardiovascular
system, fetal circulation, neonatal circulation.
Learning goals
Illustrate the contribution of the heart fields and other sources to the heart
formation
Describe the formation of the heart tube and its looping
Describe the basic events leading to the formation of the heart chambers and
outflow tract
Illustrate the concepts of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in the formation of
embryonic blood vessels
Describe the general organization of the embryonic circulation and how it
evolves into the fetal circulation
Describe change in circulation at birth
Describe the main congenital malformation of the heart and outflow tract

Lecture 38 At the heart of it all. Heart and pericardium.

- 28 -
Learning goals
Describe the external morphology of the heart
Describe the internal cavities of the heart
Describe the organization of the heart skeleton
Describe the structure of the heart wall and the organization of the myocardium
Describe the morphology of cardiac valves
Describe the organization of the conductive system
Describe the morphology and structure of the pericardium

Tutorial/Microscopic Anatomy 1
Tutorial at the light microscope: Digestive system

Tutorial at the light microscope: Digestive system

Tutorial at the light microscope: Respiratory system

Tutorial at the light microscope: Urinary system

Tutorial at the light microscope: Reproductive system and Endocrine system

Tutorial at the light microscope: Vessels, lymphoid organs

Module 3 The architecture of the human body

Lecture 39 Anatomical nomenclature. From tissues to body: organs and systems.
Learning goals
Define and describe the terms relative to the anatomical position
Describe the anatomical planes
Define and describe the terms used to describe the movements of the limbs
and vertebral column


- 29 -
Lecture 40 From outside to inside. Topographical hints. Intercommunication
between the body and the environment (skin and its appendages).
Learning goals
Define and describe the skin and its appendages and their regional
characteristics
Illustrate how we can interact with the environment
Illustrate how we can protect ourselves from the environment
Define and describe the various parts of the human body and their general
content and arrangement.

- 30 -

ST

SEMESTER

FROM ATOMS TO CELLS

Faculty:
Mario Corti, Enzo Santaniello, Laura Riboni, Stefano Duga, Andrea Gallina, Anna
Marozzi and Monica Mozzo.

Year/Semester
1st year (1
st
and 2
nd
semesters)

Credits
25

Textbooks
- Thompson & Thompson- Genetics in Medicine- ed. Saunders 7
th
Edition. (Human and
Medical Genetics), 2008
- Devlin T. M. Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations, 7th Edition Wiley
(Biochemistry), 2010
- Alberts B, et al. Essential Cell Biology 3rd edition, Garland Science,. (Molecular and
Cellular Biology), 2009
- J.W.Kane and M.M.Sternheim Life Science Physics John Wiley (Medical Phisycs)

Overwiew
This block covers the biological processes and inheritance mechanisms supporting life.
It starts with a module Fundamentals of Physics and Chemistry, the main its goal
being to provide basic principles underling the life and the features of the living matter.
This module provides a short survey of fundamentals to allow students to regain the
basic knowledge of atoms and molecules.
The block goes on by addressing the multiple levels of organisation, from
macromolecules, supramolecular assemblies and cell compartments, to cells and
organisms. Specific topics include bio-molecular diversity, function and turnover,
structure and regulation of genes, chromosomes and genomes, cellular
compartmentalisation, dynamics and communication, cellular metabolism and energy
relationships, regulation and interconnections of metabolic pathways, biological

- 31 -
variation, mutation, selection and evolution, and the genetic basis of inherited diseases.
The topics of the course will be presented in a conceptual and methodological
framework largely shared by modern Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular and
Cellular Biology, and Human Genetics to promote interdisciplinary thinking across
fields.

Teaching methods
- Lectures
- Small group activities
- Labs
- PBL
- Seminars

Exams
Written examination method (multiple choice tests). The final mark will be defined as
the average of the marks gained at the end of the first and of the second trimester,
respectively.
-1
st
Semester score: average between the marks of 1
st
and 2
nd
step.
A two steps exam: 1
st
step (Fundamentals of Physics and Chemistry ); 2
nd
step
(Bioorganic Chemistry and Molecular Biology);
-2
nd
Semester score: one step (Biology, Genetics and Biochemistry).
The threshold for passing the exam is 18/30, as well as for each step.



- 32 -

MODULES 1
ST
SEMESTER

Module 1 Fundamentals of Physics and Chemistry

Overwiew
Acquaintance with basic concepts of Physics and Chemistry is offered to students at
the very beginning of the Block. Particular attention is given to a presentation of Physics
and Chemistry which is tailored to the peculiarities of medical studies. The choice to
give such a course is intended as a full immersion on basic concepts of Physics and
General Chemistry for students who come from secondary schools and are at the
beginning of their studies at the University. Physics and Chemistry are disciplines which
naturally lend themselves to a methodological approach in the learning process.
For instance, Physics and Chemistry teach how to extract main single elements in a
complex problems, and how to compare and find correlations among them. This
expertise is helpful to a future doctor. Last but not least, Physics and Chemistry are
necessary bricks of scientific knowledge useful to the whole block and for this reason
the two disciplines are presented in an integrated approach at the beginning of the
block itself.

Medical Physics
This part of the block is aimed to resume some basic concepts of Physics, which shall
be presented with aspecial reference to their application to the human body and to
Medicine.

Lecture topics
Introductory Mathematics, graphical representation, international unit system
Forces and motion
Concept of energy in macroscopic and microscopic systems
Energy conservation and dissipation
Statistical model of gases; Temperature and related concepts
Equipartition of energy and entropy
Fluid statics
Fluid dynamics

CHEMISTRY

- 33 -
A short survey of the Fundamentals of Chemistry will allow students to recover the
basic knowledge of the structure and periodic properties of the atoms, the relative
atomic and molecular mass (atomic and molecular weight), moles, covalent bond,
acid/base, pH and balancing chemical reactions.
The knowledge of these basic principles will be evaluated at the beginning of the course
by means of an auto-evaluation test.
The chemico-physical properties of gas/liquid/solid states of matter will be introduced
with special attention to water and properties of aqueous solutions. Water self-
dissociation and the properties of solutions of acid/base of different strength will be
illustrated. Chemical kinetics and energy of reactions will be related to fundamentals of
thermodynamics and examples of reaction balancing (including redox) and
stoichiometric calculations will be illustrated and discussed.

Textbooks

J.W.Kane and M.M.Sternheim Life Science Physics John Wiley

A Handout will be available and a textbook can be consulted: Peter Atkins and Loretta
Jones. Chemical Principles: The Quest for Insight, Third Edn. W. H. Freeman &Co:
New Yorkand Basingstoke, 2004.

A Handout by prof. Santaniello will be available. In addition, it is suggested to consult
the texbook:Trudy McKee and James R. McKee. Biochemistry: molecular basis of life
McGraw-Hill, 2003.

Lectures
1. Atom structure: electronic configuration and periodic table.
The nucleus of atoms. Electronic configuration of main atoms. Periodic table and
periodical properties.
Objectives
Discuss the structure of atoms
Describe the electronic configuration of atoms
Be able to correlate electronic configurations of atoms to their position in the
periodic table
Discuss the chemical properties of atoms and predict the formation of
covalent/ionic bonds

2. From atomic to molecular and hybrid orbitals: chemical bonds and the shape
of molecules.
Molecular and hybrid orbitals for the description of chemical bonds of molecules.
Geometry and shape of molecules.

- 34 -
Objectives
Describe how molecular and hydrid orbitals are derived from atomic orbitals
Describe the electronic-geometric relationships of molecules
Discuss the structural feature of complex molecules (hemoglobin)

3. Intermolecular forces. Solutions and colligative properties.
Intermolecular forces and states of matter. Solutions: concentration and moles.
Problems related to moles and molarity (small groups). The colligative properties
of solutions with special attention to osmotic pressure (small groups).
Objectives
Describe properties of aqueous solutions
Solve simple problems related to concentration of solutions (moles and
molarity)
Discuss the meaning of isotonic and hypotonic (hypertonic) solutions
Calculate the osmotic pressure of a solution

4. Strong electrolytes. Equilibria: Kw of water and pH.
Strong acids and bases as examples of completely dissociated solutes. The
concept of chemical equilibrium of reversible reactions. Equilibrium constants:
application to auto-ionization of water. Dissociation constant (Kw) of water. The
value of [H
+
] in pure water and the definition of pH.
Objectives
Distinguish between reversible and irreversible reactions
Discuss the meaning of chemical equilibrium of reversible reactions
Discuss the meaning and the value of the dissociation constant (Kw) of
water
Discuss the value of [H
+
] in pure water as a reference value for acid/base
solution
Define the definition of pH

5. Bronsted-Lowry theory: acids and conjugated bases; Ka and Kb. pH of weak
acids/bases.
Bronsted-Lowry theory: acids and conjugated bases. Solutions of weak acids
and bases and related equilibrium constants (Ka and Kb). pH of strong and weak
acid/base solutions (mall classes).
Objectives
Discuss the Bronsted-Lowry theory

- 35 -
Recognize acids/conjugated bases and related properties
Discuss the meaning of equilibrium of weak acid/base solutions (Ka and
Kb).
Solve simple problems related to pH of strong and weak acid/base
solutions (small classes)

6. Polyprotic acids (carbonic and phopsphoric). Buffer solutions
Carbonic and phosphoric acid as polyprotic acids. Buffer solutions.
Objectives
Discuss that carbonic and phosphoric acid are polyprotic acids
Recognize the meaning of different values of dissociation constants of
polyprotic acids
Discuss the characteristics of the composition of a buffer solution and
related properties
Discuss the meaning of biological buffers, including those related to
carbonic and phosphoric acids.
Solve simple problems related to pH of buffer solutions

7. Redox reactions.
Concept of oxidation and reduction. Balance of oxidoreduction (redox)
reactions(small groups).
Objectives
Discuss the meaning of oxidation and reduction
Discuss the properties of oxidants/reductants
Discuss that a redox reaction is the result of an exchange of electrons
Calculate the oxidation number of a few oxidants/reductants
Balance simple redox reactions

8. Redox reactions and related energy: principles of electrochemistry.
Energy related to redox reactions. Galvanic cells: the Daniells cell. Standard
reduction potentials. The Nernst equation as a mean to calculate biochemical
redox potentials.
Objectives
Discuss redox processes in terms of electrochemical principles
Discuss how a simple galvanic cell works
Discuss the meaning of standard reduction potential
Discuss the meaning of Nernst equation
Relate Nernst equation to biochemical redox potentials


- 36 -
Bioorganic Chemistry
Part one
Description
An initial survey of organic chemistry will describe the structure and reactivity of the
main classes of organic compounds, including the main isomerisms and the
stereochemical concepts related to organic molecules containing an asymmetric carbon
atom. The content of this part of the programme should form the basis for
understanding the structure and function of the most relevant compounds of biological
significance (biomolecules), characterised by complex chemical structures.

9. The carbon atom in organic chemistry. Alkanes: structures and isomers.
The electronic properties of carbon atom. Covalent bonding in organic chemistry.
Alkanes: structure and chemico-physical properties. Isomers.
Objectives
Discuss the electronic properties of carbon atom as a prerequisite to
understand chemical bonding in organic chemistry.
Discuss that alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons characterized by stable,
apolar C-C and C-H bonds
Write simple structures of alkanes and related isomers
Distinguish different forms of isomerisms
Describe chemico-physical properties of alkanes

10. Alkenes. Reactivity of alkanes and alkenes.
Alkenes: structure and chemico-physical properties. Reactivity of alkanes and
alkenes. Role of a catalyst in the reaction of addition of water to the double bond
of an alkene.
Objectives
Discuss that alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons characterized by the
presence of one or more double bonds in the molecule
Write simple structures of alkenes and related isomers
Recognize the difference in the reactivity between an alkane and an alkene
Describe the mechanism of addition of water to a double bond to form an
alcohol
Describe the role of the catalysis of H
+
in the addition of water to a double
bond
Describe the general phenomenon of catalysis


- 37 -
11. Functional groups: alcohols, thioalcohols, phenols, carbonyl compounds.
Functional groups in organic chemistry. Structure and reactivity of alcohols,
thioalcohols and phenols. Structure and reactivity of carbonyl compounds
(aldehydes and ketones).
Objectives
Discuss the meaning of a functional group in organic chemistry
Write the structure of alcohols and thioalcohols.
Describe the most significant reactions of an alcohol (dehydration and
oxidation)
Discuss the reason of different reactivity of alcohols, when compared to
thioalcohols and phenol.
Discuss the alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons characterized by the
presence of one or more double bonds in the molecule
Write the structure of carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones)
Describe the most significant reactions of aldehydes and ketones

12. Acid and basic functional groups: carboxylic and phosphoric acids. Amines.
Structure and reactivity of carboxylic acids. Derivatives of carboxylic acids
(esters and anhydrides). Structure and derivatives of phosphoric acid. Structure
and reactivity of amines.
Objectives
Discuss the importance of acid and basic functional groups in
biochemistry
Write the structure of carboxylic acids and derivatives (esters and
anhydrides).
Write the structure of phosphoric acid and derivatives (esters and
anhydrides).
Write the structure of amines and quaternary ammonium (choline).

Part two
The second part of the programme will deal with the structure and function of the most
significant biomolecules, i.e. organic compounds found in living organisms and thus, of
interest to biomedical disciplines, including biochemistry and molecular biology.
Biomolecules are often characterised by complex structures in which many and
sometimes different chemical functions are present. The supramolecular organisation of
biomolecules, that involves the assembly of molecules into more complex structures
components, will be explained through lipids and their role in cell membrane formation.
The structure and reactivity of amino acids, carbohydrates and nucleotides will be
explained in order to understand the formation, structural complexity and biological
function of their polymers (proteins, polysaccharides, and nucleic acids).


- 38 -
13. Lipids.
Structure of fatty acids and their anions as amphiphilic compounds. Lipids:
triglycerides and glycerophospholipids. The structure of cell membranes. Other
lipids.
Objectives
Discuss the amphiphilic nature of the anions of fatty acids and
glycerophospholipids
Write the structure of a simple triglyceride and of phosphatidyl choline
Discuss the formation, hydrolysis and assembly of lipids

14. Amino acids: stereochemistry and acid-base equilibrium.
Structure of essential amino acids. Equilibria of the aqueous solution of an
aminoacid. Isoionic L- and isoelectric point.
Objectives
Discuss the stereochemical features of amino acids as reference chiral
molecule
Discuss the structure of amino acids L
Discuss the equilibria of aqueous solution of amino acids
Discuss the definition of isoionic and isoelectric point of an amino acid

15. Amino acids and proteins.
Formation of the amide bond between two aminoacids. Structure and property of
the amide bond. Biosynthesis of the amide bond.
Objectives
Discuss how a direct dehydration of two amino acids can form an amide bond
Discuss the structure of a the amide bond and its chemical properties
Discuss the chemical features of the formation of an amide bond at
physiological pH
Discuss the chemical mechanism of the steps of the biological synthesis of an
amide bond
Describe the mechanism of nucleophilic substitutions involved in the
biosynthesis of an amide bond.

16. Proteins.
Different classes of proteins. Primary and secondary structures of a protein.
Tertiary and quaternary structure of a protein. Denaturation and isoelectric point
of proteins.

- 39 -
Describe the difference between peptides and proteins
Discuss the meaning of the primary structures of a protein
Discuss the chemical features of the secondary structures of a protein
Discuss the chemical features of the intermolecular forces that contribute to the
tertiary structure of a protein
Write the formation of a disulfide bridge between two residues of cysteine.
Discuss reversible and irreversible denaturation
Discuss the isoelectric point of proteins

17. The enzymes.
Enzymes as protein catalysts. Mechanism of enzyme-catalysed reactions.
Objectives
Discuss the characteristics of catalysis
Describe the catalytic role of enzymes in biological reactions
Discuss the nature of the main chemical reactions catalyzed by enzymes
Discuss the difference between a reaction catalyzed by a chemical catalyst or
by an enzyme

18 Carbohydrates: structures and stereochemistry.
Structure of non-cyclic carbohydrates. Enantiomers and diastereomers
(epimers). Structure anomers.and of cyclic carbohydrates: ribose and glucose.
Mechanism of ring closure.
Objectives
Describe the structure of non-cyclic carbohydrates
Discuss the difference between stereoisomers: enantiomers and diastereomers
(epimers).
Discuss the mechanism of closure of a non-cyclic carbohydrate
Discuss the difference between anomer and epimer.

19 Carbohydrates: reactions, disaccharides and polysaccharides.
Reactions of carbohydrates; oxidation, reduction and formation of glycosidic
bond. Glycosides. Structure of a few significant disaccharides. Polysaccharides.
Objectives
Describe the oxidation and reduction of carbohydrates
Discuss the mechanism of formation of glycosidic bond
Discuss the main structural features of glycosides (glycoproteins)
Describe the structure of a disaccharide
Discuss the glycosidic bod of polysaccharides (amylase, cellulose, glycogen)


- 40 -
20 Nucleosides and nucleotides.
D-ribose and D-2-deoxyribose. Purine and pyrimidine bases. Nucleosides.
Nucleotides.
Objectives
Discuss the main structural features of D-ribose and D-2-deoxyribose
Discuss the main structural features purine and pyrimidine bases
Describe the formation of glycosidic bond of a nucleoside
Describe the formation of a nucleotide from a nucleoside

21. ATP, coenzymes and nucleic acids.
AMP, ADP and ATP: structure and reactivity. Nucleotidic coenzymes. Formation
of the 3,5-phosphoric bond between two nucleotides. Primary structure of DNA
and RNA. Hydrogen bondings of double strand in DNA.
Objectives
Discuss the structural features of AMP, ADP and ATP and the reactivity of the
triphosphate group in ATP.
Discuss the structural features of nucleotidic coenzymes
Discuss how the 3,5-phosphoric bond is formed between two nucleotides
Discuss the structure and conformations of DNA and RNA in terms of chemical
bonds
Describe the hydrogen bondings of double strand in DNA

Module 2 Molecular Biology

Overwiew
Molecular biology deals with nucleic acids and proteins and how these molecules
interact within the cell to promote proper growth, division, and development. The goal
of this course is to provide students with a basic understanding of modern molecular
biology both from the perspective of known molecular mechanisms regulating
fundamental cellular processes, and from the applied perspective of using molecular
biology as a laboratory tool. Special emphasis will be placed on molecular
mechanisms that relate to nucleic acid structure-function relationships, chromatin and
histone modifications, DNA replication and repair, RNA metabolism, and gene
expression regulation. In addition, we will take an in-depth look at some rapidly
evolving fields, including regulation of gene expression by chromatin structure and by

- 41 -
small RNAs. The application of molecular biology as a tool to perform molecular
genetic testing will also be discussed.

Cell evolution and organization.
The evolving informational polymers on Earth: the pre-mRNA and RNA worlds and the
marks they have impressed on modern cells. The tree of life and how DNA and
protein sequences help to define its branches. The phagotrophic origin of eukaryotic
cells: from endocytosis to endomembranes, mitochondrion, and nucleus.
These topics are of great relevance for a comprehensive approcach to the
understanding of the organization of the human and mitochondrial genome and of
their functions.
Learning objectives
Recognize that the relationships between extant bacterial and eukaryotic
organisms are the product of their evolutionary history
Describe the evolutionary mixed nature of the eukaryotic cell at the genomic
and structural levels
Discuss the legacy of the pre-DNA world in modern cells: ribozymes and
ribonucleoprotein particles
Interpret the impact of mitochondrial endosymbiosis on eukaryotic, and
specifically human, genetics and metabolism

The nature of the genetic material.
DNA as the genetic material.
Structure of the genetic material and its organization in the cell nucleus.
Learning Objectives
Describe how DNA was demonstrated to be the genetic material
Discuss the structure-function relationships of DNA molecules
Describe the processes of denaturation and renaturation of DNA and
illustrate how these phenomena are at the basis of nucleic acid
hybridization techniques
Illustrate how the genetic material is organized in the cell nucleus
Describe the levels of chromatin compaction
Discuss the main chromatin modifications involved in gene expression
regulation

The structure of eukaryotic genes.
What is a gene? Structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes. Main features of
eukaryotic genes.
Objectives

- 42 -
Define gene as a transcriptional unit
Discuss the existence of gene families and the concept of orthologs and
paralogs
Describe the typical structure of an eukaryotic gene and its main functional
elements

The mechanism of DNA replication.
Main classes of enzymes working on DNA.
DNA Replication: Basic mechanism & enzymology. Semidiscontinuous replication,
replication strategies, prokaryotic and eukaryotic DNA polymerases, priming. Origins of
replication.
Objectives
Discuss the main classes of enzymes acting on nucleic acids: endo- and
exonucleases, polymerases, ligases, modifying enzymes, etc.
Discuss the role of enzymes acting on nucleic acids and their possible in-vitro
applications
Discuss molecular mechanism of DNA replication
Discuss the problems raised by DNA replication and how the different proteins
participating in the process are able to solve them
Discuss the relationship between DNA replication and cell cycle regulation

Telomerase and cancer (seminar).
Mechanism of telomere replication. Activation of telomerase in cancer cells. Role of
telomerase as a therapeutic target to eliminate cancer cells.

The mutability of the genome (DNA damage & repair).
Causes of mutation: spontaneous and induced. Agents that induce mutation. Common
mutations due to DNA replication.
Main mechanisms of DNA repair
Objectives
Describe examples of the main categories of DNA damaging agents
Describe mechanisms by which DNA can be damaged
Discuss the relationship between DNA damage and DNA mutation
Discuss the balance between mutation-inducing mechanisms and DNA
repair and its role in evolution
Discuss the cell responses to DNA damage
Describe the main mechanisms of DNA repair and the specific damages
they are apt to

- 43 -

RNA transcription and metabolism: the transcriptome.
How information flows through macromolecules in the cell.
Eukaryotic transcription: RNA polymerases, promoters & enhancers. Eukaryotic
transcription factors - general & specific. Complexity of the transcriptome.
Objectives
Discuss the flow of genetic information
Discuss the original and the revised enunciation of the central dogma
Discuss the mechanism of RNA synthesis (transcription)
Describe the main classes of RNAs present within cells and their functions,
including new classes of small RNAs and their regulatory functions.
Discuss the importance of studying gene expression by whole-trascriptome
analysis

Alternative splicing in physiology and pathology (seminar).
What is RNA splicing and why it has evolved and spread in higher eukaryote genomes.
How alternative splicing generates protein diversity. RNA splicing regulation.

Translation and post-translational modifications: the proteome.
How can 4 nucleotides specify for 20 amino acids. The discovery of the genetic code.
The main properties of the genetic code. How mutations can affect the protein product
of a nucleotide sequence. How protein synthesis takes place in the cell?
How proteins acquire their final conformation and their functional properties after
synthesis. The complexity of the proteome and its relation with the genome and the
transcriptome.
Objectives
Describe the properties of the genetic code
Dicuss the mechanism of protein synthesis and its regulation
Describe the main post-translational modifications and their function
Discuss the relationship between post-translational modification and protein
sorting
Describe examples of post-translational modifications modifying protein
function

The regulation of gene expression (2 lessons).
How cells modulate gene expression. Levels of gene expression regulation: from
chemical modification of DNA to post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation.
Objectives
Dicuss the importance of gene expression modulation in driving the processes
of cellular differentiation and morphogenesis
Dicuss the principles of transcriptional regulation in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
Describe examples of transcriptional regulation

- 44 -
Describe examples of diseases associated with anomalous transcriptional
regulation of gene expression
Dicuss the principles of post-transcriptional regulation in prokaryotes and
eukaryotes
Describe examples of post-transcriptional regulation
Describe examples of diseases associated with anomalous post-transcriptional
regulation of gene expression

Recombinant DNA (rDNA).
What is rDNA? Tools of rDNA technology, making a recombinant DNA molecule, DNA
probes and hybridization, main applications of rDNA.
Objectives
Discuss the principles of rDNA technology
Illustrate the concept of genomic and cDNA libraries
Describe a cloning experiment
Discuss what is a molecular probe and what is an hybridization experiment

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) & DNA sequencing.
The discovery of PCR, the principles of a PCR reaction, what can you do with PCR?
Sanger sequencing, next-generation sequencing, the future of genome sequencing.
Applications of high-throughput sequencing.
Objectives:
Discuss why DNA is amplified during a PCR reaction
Illustrate the main applications of PCR
Describe the theory of Sanger sequencing
Compare traditional sequencing with massive parallel sequencing
Describe the main applications of next-generation sequencing


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7. HUMAN BODY - 2
ND
SEMESTER

Module 3 The architecture of the human body

Lecture 41 Bones: support, movement and protection.
Learning goals
Describe how the various bones, their components, growth, remodeling and
repair, contribute to the general framework of human body.
Discuss the morphofunctional bases of the support, movement and protection
functions of the bones in the trunk and limbs

Lecture 42 Joints: support and movement
Learning goals
Describe how joints can link bones together permitting and/ or limiting their
reciprocal movements
Discuss the morphofunctional bases of the movement and support functions of
the various joints in the trunk and limbs

Lecture 43 Skeletal muscles: support, movement and protection
Learning goals
Describe how the various skeletal muscles and their components contribute to
the general construction of human body.
Discuss the morphofunctional bases of the movement and support functions of
the various muscles in the trunk and limbs

Lecture 44 The skull: bones, fossae and general architecture, part I
Learning goals
Describe the position and main characteristics of the major bones of the skull,
and their reciprocal joints.
Describe the boundaries, walls and floors of the cranial fossae.
Identify the external and internal features of the cranial foraminae and list the
structures that each transmits.


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Tutorial/General anatomy 1 and 2 : The skull, part I and part II
Learning goals
Recognize and describe the position and main characteristics of the major
bones of the skull, and their reciprocal joints.
Recognize and describe the boundaries, walls and floors of the cranial fossae.
Recognize and describe the external and internal features of the cranial
foraminae and list the structures that each transmits.

Module 4 Regions of the human body.

Overwiew
The structure of the various regions of the human body, with special emphasis on the
clinical correlations practice will be treated. The anatomical structures of the back,
thorax, abdomen and limbs will be analyzed in their relations and reciprocal
interdependence, together with the principal methods for non destructive clinical image
analysis. In the 4th year /2nd semester the same approach will be used for head and
neck. Lectures will be integrated with Tutorial activities made with three-dimensional
models of the human body and virtual presentations.
Students are invited to work independently using models.

Lecture 45 Trunk: the back.
Learning goals
Describe the anatomical relations between the vertebrae, the spinal cord, and
the spinal nerves.
Describe the cervical, brachial, lumbosacral, and pudendum plexa, their
position, anatomical relations and significance

Lectures 46-47 Trunk: the thorax, part I and part II.
Learning goals
Describe the main anatomical characteristics of the thorax and its surface
anatomy
Describe the topographical and anatomical divisions of the thoracic cavity, the
surface markings of the main thoracic organs, and their anatomical relations
Illustrate the position of the heart, great vessels and oesophagus in the
mediastinum
Illustrate the position and relations of the pleura, lungs, trachea and bronchi

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Illustrate the position and relations of the diaphragm, and its role in respiratory
movements

Lectures 48-50 Trunk: the abdomen and pelvis, part I, part II and part III.
Learning goals
Describe the main anatomical characteristics of the abdomen and pelvis, and
their surface anatomy
Describe the topographical and anatomical divisions of the abdominal cavity,
the surface markings of the main abdominal organs, and their anatomical
relations
Illustrate the position of the gastrointestinal tract, abdominal viscera, and
urogenital system in the abdomen
Describe the peritoneum, its ligaments, and the peritoneal cavity
Illustrate the position and relations of the various organs with the peritoneal
cavity

Lectures 50-52 Pectoral and pelvic girdles, upper and lower limb: part I, part II
and part III.
Learning goals
Describe the main anatomical characteristics of the upper and lower limbs,
thoracic and pelvic girdles, and their surface anatomy.
Describe the fascial compartments delimiting the major muscle groups of the
upper and lower limbs, and to explain the functional importance of those
compartments and their contents.
Describe the movements of the pectoral and pelvic girdles, and of upper and
lower limbs; to identify and describe the muscles responsible for the
movements and summarize their main attachments and somatic motor nerve
supply.
Describe the origin, course and distribution of the major arteries and veins of
the upper and lower limbs and their branches; classify and contrast the
functions of the deep and superficial veins.
Describe the origin, course and function of the principal nerves of the upper and
lower limbs.

Tutorial/Regional anatomy 1 and 2 : Trunk & the back, part I and part II.
Learning goals
Recognize and describe and the main anatomical features of vertebrae and
their joints

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Recognize and describe the structures, regions, functions and movements of
the vertebral column.
Recognize and describe the principal muscle groups and ligaments of the
vertebral column
Recognize and describe the anatomical relations between the vertebrae, the
spinal cord, and the spinal nerves.
Recognize and describe the cervical, brachial, lumbosacral, and pudendum
plexa, their position, anatomical relations and significance

Tutorial/Regional anatomy 3 and 4 : Trunk: the thorax I and II.
Learning goals
Recognize and describe the main anatomical characteristics of the thorax and
its surface anatomy
Recognize and describe the main anatomical skeletal, cartilaginous and
ligamentous features of thorax
Recognize and describe the joint and movements of the thorax
Recognize and describe the principal muscle groups of the thorax
Recognize and describe the position and relations of the diaphragm
Recognize and describe the position of the heart, great vessels and
oesophagus in the mediastinum
Recognize and describe the position and relations of the pleura, lungs, trachea
and bronchi

Tutorial/Regional anatomy 5 and 6 : Trunk: the abdomen and pelvis I and part II.
Learning goals
Recognize and describe the anatomical characteristics of the abdomen and
pelvis, and their surface anatomy
ligamentous features of abdomen and pelvis
Recognize and describe the joint and movements of the abdomen and pelvis
Recognize and describe the principal muscle groups of the abdomen and pelvis
Recognize and describe the position and anatomical relations of the
gastrointestinal tract, abdominal viscera, and urogenital system in the abdomen

Tutorial/Regional anatomy 7/ 8 and 9 : Upper and lower limb I, part II and part III.
Learning goals

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Recognize and describe the main anatomical characteristics of the upper and
lower limbs, thoracic and pelvic girdles, and their surface anatomy
ligamentous features of the upper and lower limbs
Recognize and describe the joints and movements of the upper and lower limbs
Recognize and describe the major muscle groups of the upper and lower limbs,
and their relations with the vessels and nerves
Recognize and describe the major arteries and veins of the upper and lower
limbs and their branches
Recognize and describe the principal nerves of the upper and lower limbs

Module 5 The hardware of the human computer.

Overwiew
The main learning goal of the second semester of the first year is to understand,
starting from a developmental perspective, the macroscopic anatomy and internal
architecture of the central nervous system and to know the organization of the
peripheral nervous system.

Lecture 53 Phylogenesis and general organization.
Learning goals
Discuss the general morpho/functional organization of the nervous system in
relation to its phylogenesis
Describe the general organization of the gray and white matter
Illustrate the most common neurotransmitters/neuromodulators
Describe the basic macroscopic organization of the central nervous system and
peripheral nervous system

Lecture 54 Development of the nervous system part I.
Learning goals
Describe the formation of the neural tube and of the neural crest
Discuss the basic macroscopic events through which the neural tube
undergoes to form the different portions of the central nervous system and the
ventricular system
Discuss the events that lead to the organization of the gray and white matter in
the different portions of the central nervous system

Lecture 55 Development of the nervous system part II.
Learning goals
Discuss the formation of the peripheral nerves and cranial nerves
Describe the formation of the autonomic nervous system

- 50 -
Describe the basic prenatal and postnatal steps characterizing the morpho-
functional maturation of the nervous system
Discuss the most common defects of the nervous system development

Lecture 56 Spinal cord, spinal nerves.
Learning goals
Describe the macroscopic aspect of the spinal cord
Discuss the concept of neuromere
Illustrate the organization of the gray and white matter
Describe the main cell types of the gray matter and their laminar and columnar
organization
Illustrate the location in the white matter of the most important ascending and
descending pathways
Describe the formation of the spinal nerves and the destiny of their collaterals
Discuss the general organization of the meninges

Lecture 57 Peripheral nervous system: spinal plexuses.
Learning goals
Classify nerve fibers in relation to their motor and sensory function
Describe the difference between sensory and autonomic ganglia
Describe the formation of the spinal nerves and the destiny of their collaterals
Illustrate the formation of spinal plexuses
Describe the main spinal plexuses
Illustrate the main aspects of the course and territory of innervations of the
main peripheral nerves
Describe the organization of the autonomic nervous system

Lecture 58 Peripheral nervous system: autonomic nervous system.
Learning goals
Describe the general organization of the autonomic nervous system
Discuss the neurochemical organization of the autonomic nervous system
Describe the specific organization of the sympathetic and parasympathetic
nervous system
Describe the organization of the enteric nervous system

Lecture 59 Brainstem and cerebellum part I.

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Learning goals
Describe the surface anatomy of the brainstem, the origin of the cranial nerves
and their exit points with respect to the skull foramina
Describe the surface anatomy of the cerebellum and its division in lobes
Describe the relation of the cerebellum to the brainstem and 4th ventricle
Describe the morphology of the 4th ventricle and its communications
Illustrate the structure of a choroid plexus and the formation and circulation of
the cerebrospinal fluid
Lecture 60 Brainstem and cerebellum part II.
Learning goals
Describe the internal organization of the brainstem with respect to cranial nerve
nuclei, specific nuclei, and ascending and descending pathways
Illustrate the sensory and motor organization of the cranial nerves and their
territory of innervations
Discuss the organization of the cerebellar gray and white matter

Lecture 61 Telencephalon and diencephalon part I.
Learning goals
Describe the surface anatomy of the telencephalon and its subdivision in lobes
Identify the position of the primary and secondary motor and sensory areas in
the lobes
Describe the organization of the gray matter and white matter of the
telencephalon
Describe the location and relations of the basal ganglia
Illustrate the relation of the diencephalon to the internal capsule and basal
ganglia
Describe the third ventricle and the lateral ventricles

Lecture 62 Telencephalon and diencephalon part II.
Learning goals
Illustrate the subdivisions of the diencephalon and the relevant aspects of their
structural organization in relation to their function
Discuss the main structural features of the neocortex, paleocortex and
archicortex
Describe the organization of the meninges in the neurocranium in relation to the
compartmentalization of its content, the formation of meningeal spaces, and the
formation of the venous sinuses


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ND
SEMESTER

MODULES 2
ND
SEMESTER

Module 3 Cell Biology.

Overwiew
The fundamental unit of life is the cell. Therefore, cell biology forms a base upon which
modern biology and medicine are built. A hallmark of contemporary cell biology is the
attempt to integrate the classic morphological approach to subcellular structures and
dynamics (which students have already encountered in the Human Body course) with
the insights into the ever-growing complexity of the underlying molecular processes.
This modules lectures will focus on topics revolving around the concept of intracellular
dynamics: how protein activity and lifespan are regulated by covalent and non-covalent
modifications, how networks of molecular interactions drive the assembly of cell
structures and the sorting of proteins and membranes inside the cell, how intracellular
signaling cascades operate, how cell cycle, programmed cell death and cell
senescence are controlled at the molecular level, and how the derangement of these
controls underlies cancer. Hints to experimental techniques used in cell biology will be
provided. By the end of the module students should appreciate how our understanding
of cell biology has resulted in medical advances, and be able to discuss current
biomedical issues in a cellular context.

The dynamic cell.
The pervasive role of protein traffic, protein-protein interactions, G-proteins and protein
modifications in the eukaryotic cell. Molecular mechanisms of protein localization,
transport and disposal. Regulated protein degradation: ubiquitylation and ERAD. How
cytoskeletal networks provide spatial organization and mechanical support to eukaryotic
cells, as well as a basis for movement and cell division. Membrane dynamics:
organization and functioning of the secretory and endocytic pathways. How pathogens
hijack eukaryotic trafficking mechanisms.
These topics are linked to subjects of the Molecular Biology (protein synthesis, folding
and modification), Biochemistry (membrane dynamics and transport, protein
glycosylation, lysosomal digestion) and Human and Medical Genetics (altered protein
targeting or accumulation in genetic diseases) modules.
Learning objectives

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Be acquainted with modern techniques used to study protein localization and
transport in living cells
Critically discuss how molecular recognition and self-organization phenomena
dominate the assembly and dynamics of macromolecular complexes and
organelles
Describe the role of G-proteins as molecular switches involved in a number of
cellular processes
List major examples of protein co- and post-translational modifications, and
know their impact on protein localization, function and stability
Describe what microtubules, actin filaments and intermediate filaments do, and
how cells move
Describe how the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, endosomes and
lysosomes are part of an extensive endomembrane system in eukaryotic cells
Describe the molecular mechanisms of protein targeting to/from the nucleus, to
the secretory pathway, to lysosomes and to selfstanding organelles
(mitochondria and peroxisomes)
Describe the essentials of membrane vesicle (or tubule) generation, targeting
and fusion in the endomembrane system, and the role played by the specific
vesicle-coating proteins and fusion proteins in distinct pathways of vesicular
transport
Discuss the similarities and differences of between enveloped viruses and
vesicles
Cite and discuss examples of how infectious agents can exploit and alter
cellular transport mechanisms

Cell signaling, cell cycles, cell death.
Overview on signal transduction pathways, and a few notable examples of pathways
involving second messengers and/or phosphorylation cascades: G-protein coupled
receptors and receptor tyrosine kinases. How cells sense the presence of other cells
and stay in contact (shortly). The molecular mechanisms that control eukaryotic cell
division cycles. Mechanisms to restrain eukaryotic cell proliferation: programmed cell
death (apoptosis) and senescence. How alterations of signaling, cell cycle, senescence
and apoptosis are at the heart of cancer.
These topics are linked to subjects of the Molecular Biology (mechanisms of mutation,
DNA repair, gene cloning), Biochemistry (membrane lipid composition, transport
receptors) and Human and Medical Genetics (dominance relationships, mechanisms of
tumor suppressor gene inactivation and inheritance) modules. In addition, they
anticipate topics of the Mechansims of Disease course (signal transduction, apoptosis,
cancer).
Learning objectives

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Explain the essential classifications of extracellular signals (ligands), based on
their chemical nature, as well as on their action over short or long distances
Discuss the basic concepts of signal amplification, attenuation and extinction in
signal transduction, and the functional interplay between signaling and
endocytosis
Describe the main steps of the signaling pathways involving G-protein coupled
receptors and their second messengers - cyclic AMP, inositol triphosphate,
diacylglycerol and calcium ions
Describe the main steps of the signaling pathways involving receptor tyrosine
kinases, and their intimate connection with the control of cell proliferation,
survival and differentiation
Cite the cell surface molecules involved in securing cell-cell and cell-
extracellular matrix interactions, and their involvement in signaling
Describe the distinctive mode of action of steroid hormones, through
intracellular receptors which directly turn on/off genes
Explain the essentials about the role that cyclins, cyclin-dependent kinases and
ubiquitin ligases play in mitotic cell cycle control
Define and differentiate the terms quiescence, restriction point and checkpoint
in the context of cell cycle mechanisms
Describe the role of Retinoblastoma (pRb) and p53 family proteins as major
negative regulators of the cell cycle
Describe the basic aspects of apoptosis and senescence as alternative modes
of injury-limiting cell disposal
Define the term stem cell and appreciate the role of cell polarity, asymmetric
cell division and apoptosis in the maintenance of non-growing tissues
Be acquainted with the classic experiments that discovered cancer genes
Describe the opposite roles played by proto-oncogene and tumor suppressor
gene products in the regulation of proliferative signals, cell cycle and cell
survival/cell death; and, after mutation, in generating the cancer cell phenotype

Module 4 Human Cell Biochemistry.

Overwiew
This module is designed to provide the medical students with a fundamental
understanding of current concepts of cellular biochemistry that relate to human health
and disease, and to orient them towards the applications of the acquired knowledge in
solving clinical problems. Subjects encompass different aspects of the field, focusing on

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the metabolic events that control the functioning of normal cells, and integrating the
various aspects and their regulatory pathways.

Speeding up and regulating reactions.
Principles of metabolic control. Enzyme properties and control in cell homeostasis.
Isoenzymes and coenzymes. Medical implications of enzymes.
Learning objectives
Describe the fundamental aspects of enzymology that are central to metabolic
pathways
Illustrate the criteria of the international enzyme classification
Describe factors affecting enzymatic activity
Illustrate coenzymes properties and their role in enzyme catalysis
Define isoenzymes and explain their properties
Describe mechanisms of inhibition of enzyme action
Illustrate the regulation of enzyme activity and describe the properties of
allosteric enzymes
Recognize clinical significance of enzymes

Compartmentalize to function.
Mechanisms and properties of cell compartmentalization. Dynamic organization and
functional properties of the cellular membranes
Learning objectives
Illustrate the typical structure and organization of biomembranes, and
explain their role in cell properties
Explain why asymmetry, fluidity, dynamics and specialization are key
membrane properties
Illustrate the role of the specific lipid, protein and carbohydrate components
in conferring peculiar functions to biomembranes
Describe lateral and trans-bilayer motions of membrane lipids and
recognize the role microdomains as functional membrane compartments

The work of crossing membranes: players and control.
Molecular mechanisms of passive and active transport across biological membranes
Learning objectives
Describe energy changes factors that influence rate and entity of transport
across a membrane
Explain the role of solute transport in homeostasis
Illustrate mechanisms and control of simple diffusion, passive and active
transport

- 56 -
Recognize the main features of protein-mediated transport and describe
the mechanisms of passive and active transport
Describe pores, channels and ionophores
Describe the passive transmembrane transport of glucose and Na+
(including acetylcholine receptor)
Describe the molecular mechanisms of primary and secondary active
transport (ABC transporters, Na+/K+ pump, glucose and Na+/glucose
transporters) and their control
Illustrate mechanisms of vesicular transport and information transfer
through a biomembrane (see Vesicular transport and Signal
transduction topics ,Cell Biology).

Cell nutrients and strategies for energy transfer and use.
Fundamentals of nutritional biochemistry: nutrient functions and requirements.
Overview of metabolism and energetic strategies in human cells.
Learning objectives
Define nutrients and know functional types and roles
Define and list essential nutrients and recognize their importance in human
health
Describe how nutrient energy content can be evaluated
Illustrate measure units of energy in foods and net caloric values of
energetic nutrients
Define basal metabolic rate, factors influencing it and describe how it can
be measured
Describe total energetic requirements, its components and energetic needs
for physical activity
Explain how cells turn nutrients into usable energy
Define metabolism and recognize its different aims, features and energetic
strategies
Describe catabolic and anabolic pathways, their interconnections and
control
Define high-energy compounds and explain the role of ATP as energy
transporter in cells
Explain the role of biological oxidation and describe enzymes and
coenzymes involved.


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A key cycle for multiple roles: the tricarboxylic acid cycle.
Bioenergetic and mitochondrial functions: mechanisms and regulation
Learning objectives
Describe energetic flux and transformation in cells
Illustrate the energetic role of mitochondria metabolism and the
mechanisms of its control
Explain how the oxidation of energetic fuels produces metabolic energy
and illustrate the key role of the TCA cycle in the whole process
Describe the TCA cycle: substrates, products, cofactors, sites of ATP
production, and regulatory mechanism
Explain the amphibolic role of the TCA cycle, and describe its catabolic and
anabolic roles and anaplerotic reactions.

The respiratory chain: a strategy to recover energy.
The mitochondrial electron transport chain functioning and control
Learning objectives
Illustrate components of mitochondrial respiratory chain, their organization,
and properties
Describe shuttle mechanisms for transfer of reducing equivalents from
cytosolic NADH to mitochondria and difference between NADH and FADH2
as electron transport chain substrates
Describe the process of mitochondrial electron transfer and its control
Discuss why electron transport chain releases energy and explain how it is
recovered at specific sites of the respiratory chain
Illustrate the different fates of energy released by respiratory chain
Describe inhibitors of mitochondrial respiratory chain and give examples
List mitochondrial trans-membrane transporters
Recognize the role for altered mitochondrial respiratory chain in human
diseases (see Human genetic variation integration,Human and Medical
Genetics)
Define free radicals and ROS, explain their formation and toxicity and know
cell defenses.

The rotating molecular motor: ATP synthase.
Mechanisms and regulation of oxidative phosphorylation. Structure, mechanism and
properties of ATP synthase
Learning objectives
Describe ATP synthase structure and functional components
Explain how respiratory chain is coupled to ATP formation

- 58 -
Describe mechanism of oxidative phosphorylation and know factors
requirement
Explain ATP/ADP cycle and the concept of respiratory control
Illustrate how inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation work
Outline the key role of oxygen in cells and describe its different uses as
substrate
Explain effect of uncouplers and describe intrinsic and extrinsic uncoupling
of oxidative phosphorylation
Describe proteins encoded by the mitochondrial genome in humans and
recognize the role for their physiological and pathological mutations.

The sweet side of catabolism: carbohydrates as cellular fuels.
Carbohydrate digestion. Glucose phosphorylation and metabolic fates Anaerobic and
aerobic glycolysis and their control.
Learning objectives
Describe digestion of carbohydrates, and mechanisms of monosaccharide
absorption
Explain how glucose is phosphorylated, its importance in glucose
metabolism, and know its medical application in PET (after labeled glucose
derivative ingestion)
Describe the glycolytic pathway, recognizing the relevance of oxidation
steps and substrate-level phosphorylation
Describe the regulation mechanism of key glycolytic enzymes by local and
hormonal control
Describe energy production from anaerobic and aerobic glycolysis, and
Pasteur effect
Discuss how pyruvate produced by glycolysis is converted to lactate,
acetyl-CoA and oxalacetate
Illustrate how pyruvate dehydrogenase is controlled and the role of vitamin
B1 in this activity
Illustrate how mutations of proteins involved in TCA or oxidative
phosphorylation can lead to lactic acidemia.

The ins and outs of glucose metabolism.
Overview of metabolic origin and fates of glucose. Metabolism and control of fructose
and galactose metabolism. Mechanism and rational of the pentose phosphate pathway
Learning objectives

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Describe the origins of fructose and galactose in human cells and the
molecular mechanisms of their normal and abnormal metabolism (see
Mechanisms of inheritance, Human and Medical Genetics).
List the different fates of nucleotide-activated sugars
Discuss why the polyol pathway is necessary but also dangerous
Describe the pentose phosphate pathway and its regulation
Describe differences between glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathway
Explain the importance of NADPH generation and its functional roles in
different cells
Recognize the role of glutathione in cell structure and functions.

Lipid digestion and inter-organ transport.
Biochemistry of lipid digestion and absorption. Mechanisms of transport of simple and
complex lipids in blood and lymph. Lipoprotein structure, dynamic and metabolism.
Learning objectives
Describe essential dietary lipids (including essential fatty acids and fat-
soluble vitamins) and their roles
Describe biochemical and nutritional differences between saturated and
unsaturated fats
Describe emulsification, digestion and absorption of dietary lipids
Explain structural properties, origins and role of bile acids, and their
enterohepatic circulation
Compare differences between absorption and transport of medium and
long chain fatty acids
Illustrate mechanisms of inter-organ lipid transport in biological fluids
Describe lipoproteins: classification, composition, types, and roles
Describe metabolism of different lipoproteins and recognize the medical
significance of lipoprotein metabolism disorders.

Lipids as fuel.
Fatty acid -oxidation and metabolism of ketone bodies
Learning objectives
Illustrate the role of triglycerides as circulating and stored fuel
Describe mechanism and regulation of lipoprotein lipase and hormone
sensitive lipase
Overview fatty acid catabolism and explain the role of carnitine
Describe fatty acid -oxidation, its requirements and energetic yield
Explain how -oxidation is connected to the mitochondrial electron
transport chain

- 60 -
List differences in oxidation of saturated, unsaturated, odd and even
carbon fatty acids
Recognize differences between mitochondrial and peroxisomal oxidation of
fatty acids and medical importance of their disorders
Describe ketogenesis and use of ketone bodies and recognize clinical
significance of ketosis.

There is more to lipids than just being fat.
Overview of lipid functions. Mechanisms and control of cholesterol homeostasis
Learning objectives
Delineate the major metabolic fates of fatty acids and explain their
functional roles
Explain how cells can obtain cholesterol from blood and neosynthesis
Describe inter-organ transport of cholesterol
Describe biosynthesis and control of cholesterol
Recognize cholesterol as precursor of steroid hormones and bile acids
Explain why cholesterol can be dange.rous and synthesize the mechanism
of action of cholesterol lowering drugs

Where do amino acids come from?
Digestion and absorption of proteins. Special roles and important metabolites derived
from aminoacids
Learning objectives
Explain the different origins of amino acids in humans
Describe digestion of dietary proteins and know absorption mechanisms of
amino acids
Explain how proteolytic enzymes are activated and know luminal and cell-
surface proteases
Describe mechanism for intestinal amino acid and peptide transport
Define protein turnover and overview mechanism and control of protein
catabolism
Illustrate the major reactions involving amino acids: transamination,
oxidative and non-oxidative deamination, decarboxylation
Illustrate mechanism and importance of aminotransferases (with role of
pyridoxal phosphate) and recognize their use in diagnosis
Describe precursors, cofactors, and fundamentals of non essential amino
acid biosynthesis

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Illustrate normal and abnormal metabolism of phenylalanine (see Human
genetic variation,Human and Medical Genetics).

The complex and key potential of cellular amino acids.
Metabolic fates of amino acid metabolism and gluconeogenesis
Learning objectives
Describe the role of amino acids as precursors of key nitrogen-containing
compounds and illustrate important metabolites derived from amino acids
Overview degradation of amino acids and cofactor requirement
Recognize the medical importance of genetic disorders of amino acid
metabolism
Describe energetic fates of amino acids and discuss differences between
glucogenic and ketogenic amino acids
Describe relevant features of gluconeogenesis, including localization,
substrates and energetic
Illustrate glucose-lactate cycle and alanine cycle and recognize their role in
homeostasis
Explain why fatty acids are not substrates of gluconeogenesis and explain
consequences
Compare between glycolysis and gluconeogenesis
Describe regulation of gluconeogenesis and illustrate its coordinated control
with glycolysis
Describe short- and long-term effects of glucagon and insulin on
gluconeogenesis.

Nitrogen balance, ammonia transport and excretion. Nucleotide metabolism.
Molecular mechanisms of ammonia formation, transport and excretion. Fundamentals
of nitrogen balance. Overview of nucleotide metabolism and connections with that of
amino acids.
Learning objectives
Define nitrogen balance and explain its normal and pathological variations
Describe ammonia formation, blood transport and strategies for elimination
Overview urea cycle and its regulation, and illustrate reactions that feed
nitrogen into it
Discuss how urea cycle and tricarboxylic acid cycle are connected
Describe urinary excretion of nitrogen and recognize the existence of urea
cycle disorders
List nucleotide metabolism, and explain the role of the involved coenzymes
List sources of the ring atoms of purines and pyrimidines, and illustrate the role
of amino acids in nucleotide metabolism

- 62 -
Illustrate final products of degradation of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides
Discuss the medical significance of elevated uric acid production.

Glycogen storage.
Glycogen properties and function. Metabolism and regulation of glycogen.
Learning objectives
Illustrate the structural features, localization and amount of glycogen in the
body
Differentiate between local and systemic roles of glycogen as glucose store
Recognize advantages and limits of glycogen as energy storage
Explain how glycogen can be accumulated and utilized
Describe molecular processes of glycogen synthesis and degradation
Describe regulation of glycogen metabolism and explain how its opposite
pathways are counter regulated
Recognize the medical importance of glycogen storage disease.

Fat storage.
Triglyceride properties, location and function. Metabolism of triacylglycerols and its
control.
Learning objectives
Describe structure, blood transport, localization and amount of
triacylglycerols in humans
Recognize advantages and limits of triglycerides as energy store
Overview triacylglycerol catabolism, explain differences between lipoprotein
lipase and hormone sensitive lipase
Describe metabolic origins of TAGs
Describe fatty acid biosynthesis, its location, substrates, multi-enzyme
complex mechanism, and regulation
Discuss the role of malonyl-CoA, biotin, and NADPH in fatty acid
biosynthesis
Outline differences in -oxidation and biosynthesis of fatty acids
Illustrate the processes of fatty acid chain elongation and desaturation
Describe triacylglycerol biosynthesis and its hormonal control.

Metabolic interrelationships and cooperation between cells.
Blood glucose homeostasis: mechanisms of control of effects of deregulation.
Nervous/endocrine control and intercellular cooperation in the fed/fasting cycle and in

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stress conditions (The regulation of gene expression, Molecular Biology and the topic
Signal transduction, Cell Biology).
Learning objectives
Describe the prompt and long-lasting stores of energy (circulating and tissue
stores)
Explain the importance of blood glucose regulation
Demonstrate ability to relate the effects of hypoglycemia to alterations of
cellular metabolism and energy management
Discuss the role of inter-tissue glucose sensing and communication
Describe the endocrine control of glycemia (insulin and counter regulatory
hormones)
Illustrate structure, secretion, and action mechanism of insulin and glucagon
Outline metabolism adaptations and regulation in the fed and fasting state and
in stress conditions
Explain the concept of metabolic cooperation between cells and various organs
as the key to healthy survival.

Module 5 Human and Medical Genetics.

Overwiew
This module is focused on the application of genetic principles in the practice of
medicine. HMG covers on the basic principles of classical and molecular genetics,
exploring the inheritance of diseases in families, pathogenesis of inherited disorders,
cytogenetics and molecular diagnosis of genetic diseases and provision of genetic
counselling for families. Starting from the learning objectives of the Molecular Biology
module, focused on the molecular basis of genetics (including such topics as
replication, expression, translation and mutation), HMG module is designed to
understand how genetic problems may lead to disease or lethality and provide a
conceptual framework for future reference.
Considering that genetics represents a true integration between basic and clinical
sciences, some clinical aspects of medical genetics will be addressed in the following
years.

Prerequisite: It is assumed that students have a good understanding of basic genetics.
The self-study programme includes the following topics:
Mendelian genetics: Mendels Laws of Heredity, probability of inheritance and Punnett
Squares, alleles and genes, dominant and recessive alleles, homozygous and
heterozygous definitions. The basic rules of probability: the Sum and Product.
If students would like to brush up on genetics terminology, we suggest visiting the
websites http://www.genome.gov/Education/ (National Human Genome Research

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Institute) and http://biology.about.com/od/basicgenetics/a/aa071705a.htm, or consulting
the book Essential Genetics by P. Russell. Ed Cummings.
Students are encouraged to perform a self-examination test (multiple choice) before the
course to check whether their basic knowledge in genetics is sufficient to successfully
meet the course programme.

Mitosis, meiosis and ploidy cycles.
Chromosome behaviour during cell cycle in somatic and germinal cells.
Learning objectives
Describe the stages of mitosis and meiosis and the cell cycle, and explain the
significance of each.
Differentiate between genome inheritance in somatic cells (Mitosis) and
gametes (Meiosis).
Define haploid and diploid chromosome content during meiosis and mitosis.
Explain the recombination and crossing-over events.
Discuss how a mistake in meiosis can result in chromosomal syndromes
such as Down syndrome.

Mechanisms of inheritance.
How genetic traits are inherited. The applications of Mendelian laws in monogenic
inherited diseases.
Learning objectives
List the Mendels basic principles of heredity applied in humans inherited
traits.
Describe the difference between genotype and phenotype, locus and allele.
Describe the concept of Multiple-allele Series, and list the ABO blood groups.
Discuss the patterns and describe the characteristics of single gene
inheritance.
Recognise typical pedigree patterns.
Calculate the recurrence risks for single gene disorders and to solve
problems and complete pedigrees.
Explain the occurrence of X-linked recessive traits.
Discuss the difference between expression and penetrance of a disorder.
Discuss the multiple explanations for variable expressivity of single gene
disorders.
Illustrate the notion of complex diseases and describe the importance of the
environmental influence on disease predisposition.

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Human genetic variation and dynamic mutations.
Relationship between mutation/ polymorphisms and phenotype.
Learning objectives
Differentiate between mutation and polymorphism of DNA
Describe the role of mutations in evolution.
Discuss the types of mutation that can occur including substitution (missense,
nonsense), insertion/deletion (in-frame, frameshift), splice-site, amplification of
repeated sequences, genomic instability, and regulatory.
Describe the potential consequences (on gene expression) of the different
types of mutation.
Discuss the concept that whether a mutation causes disease, is benign or
beneficial depends on the precise nature of the change and where and when it
occurs.
Describe examples of human disease caused by different types of mutation.
Describe the concept of triplet repeat diseases and the correlation between
earlier manifestations of clinical symptoms (anticipation) and molecular
pattern.

Population genetics.
Genetic variability in a population: genotypic and allele frequencies. A simplified
description of allele assortment at reproduction: the gene pool. The Hardy-Weinberg
law (HWL) of allelic and genotypic frequencies, the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE),
and the conditions for their validity. Factors causing evolution of a population (changes
of allelic frequencies over generations) equal to violations of the Hardy-Weinberg
postulates.
Learning objectives
Be familiar with the lexicon of population genetics: population, gene pool, allele
frequencies and genotype frequencies
Describe the HWL equation and state the HWE principle
Calculate the allele and/or genotypic frequencies of genes of interest in human
genetics, by applying the HWL
List the factors (inbreeding, genetic drift, mutation, migration, selection) that
violate
HWE and alter allele frequencies, and describe how they change the HWL .

Cytogenetics and clinical cytogenetics.
The Karyotype description. The chromosomal abnormalities and their importance in the
phenotype and reproductive risk.
Learning objectives

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List the basic structure and function of chromosomes, the karyotype and how
they relate to medicine.
Describe the different types of cytogenetic abnormalities that can occur.
Differentiate among the different techniques (classical karyotyping, FISH -
Fluorescence in Situ Hybridisation- and CGH -Comparative Genomic
Hybridisation)-arrays) useful to detect microscopic and sub-microscopic
rearrangements.
Describe the recurrence risks in pregnancy for the principal types of
cytogenetic abnormality (trisomies and translocations).
Describe the pre- and post-natal applications of cytogenetic investigation.

Sex determination and X-linked gene dosage compensation.
The genetics of sex determination and the more frequent genetic anomalies associated
with incomplete sexual differentiation. How do male and female compensate X-linked
gene dosage?
Learning objectives
Describe the genetic influence in development of the gonads (see The
Urogenital System, Human Body course)
Describe the importance of the SRY gene in male sex differentiation.
Describe some sex determination disorders related to genetic defects.
Discuss the importance of X chromosome inactivation in females related to
gene dosage (Structure of the genetic material and its organization in the cell
nucleus and Regulation of gene expression, Molecular Biology).
Describe the mechanism leading to X-linked gene silencing related to XIST.
Describe the difference between random and preferential inactivation in
presence of chromosome alterations involving X.
Discuss the concept that a few X-linked genes escape X inactivation process
and the relationship with Turner syndrome.

Non-Mendelian disorders.
Uniparental disomies (UPD) and imprinting diseases: Prader Willi/Angelman syndromes
and Silver Russell/Beckwith-Weidemann syndromes
A non-Mendelian inheritance pattern of genetic diseases: defects of genomic imprinting.
Learning objectives
Consider the importance of epigenetic changes in human disease (see
Structure of the genetic material and its organization in the cell nucleus and
Regulation of gene expression, Molecular Biology).

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Explain the chromosomal mechanisms leading to UPD.
List the UPD with a phenotypic effect in humans.
Discuss the meaning of imprinting in mammals and the epigenetic mechanisms
leading to silencing of the imprinted allele.

Gene testing and genetic counselling.
The main classes of gene testing and methods to perform them. The importance of
genetic counselling in genetic testing procedures..
Learning objectives
Illustrate the workings and importance of major molecular genetics techniques
for gene testing.
List the main applications of gene testing: carrier screening, pre-symptomatic
testing for predicting adult-onset disorders such as Huntington's disease,
diagnosis confirmation of a symptomatic individual.

Inherited cancers.
Cancer occurrence may be an inherited trait. Pattern of mutations of the main class of
genes involved in Inherited cancers: the tumor-suppressor genes.
Learning objectives
Define sporadic and inherited cancers.
List some examples and pattern of inheritance of syndromic and non-
syndromic hereditary cancer conditions (Retinoblastoma, Breast and ovarian
inherited cancers, Colon cancer).
Describe The two hit hypothesis - tumour suppressor gene mutation in
sporadic and inherited cancer, the example of the Retinoblastoma gene (RB).


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9. THE FACULTY

ISABELLA BARAJON, MD. Isabella.barajon@unimi.it Professor of Human Anatomy of
the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, since 1998. She teaches
medical students in specialist Schools and medical biotechnology students. Her main
research interests are related to the field of Neuroscience and Embryology and her
current research topics deal with the expression of immunological molecules and
cancer testis antigens during embryonic development. She has spent research periods
in neurophysiology, medical physiology and anatomy laboratories of the Panum
Institute of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Copenhagen and
collaborates with the Division of Haematology and Oncology, Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center.

MARIO CORTI mario.corti@unimi.it obtained his Physics Degree in 1964 and has been
a Professor of Physics since 1985. From 1987-94 he taught in the Faculty of
Engineering at the University of Pavia. Since 1995 he has taught Medical Physics in the
Faculty of Medicine of the University of Milan. His major research interest concerns the
chemical-physical and thermodynamic properties of solutions of biological interest. He
directed the Electro-optic Section of CISE Research Centre from 1976 to 1987. He has
been a member of the Preparatory Commission of the European Project FAST2 on
laser applications. He was a member of the Steering Committee of the European
Colloid and Interface Science Society (ECIS), of which he was president in 1989, for
three years. He was a member of the Scientific Committee of CEA (Commissariat
Energie Atomique), Saclay France, for the Department of Physics and Chemistry of
Macromolecules. He was a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Colloid and
Interface Science (Elsevier) for more than ten years and he has been President of the
Scientific Committee of the CNR ITS Centre in Messina and member of the Scientific
Committee of the CNR IROE Centre in Florence. He was Director of the INFM Regional
Laboratory of Physics for Medicine. In the past he held a Fulbright Scholarship at the
University of Washington, Seattle, USA. He has more than 150 publications in
international journals and a few patents.

PIERMARIA BATTEZZATI (piermaria.battezzati@unimi.it) Pier Maria Battezzati
graduated in Medicine at the Universit degli Studi di Milano and specialized in Internal
Medicine in 1990. Since 1991 he is holding a hospitalist position at the University
Hospital San Paolo, Milan with clinical responsibilities involving inpatients care and
assistance to outpatients with chronic liver disease. In 2005 he became Associate

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Professor of Internal Medicine and joined the Dipartimento di Medicina, Chirurgia e
Odontoiatria at the University of Milan. Main research interests are focused on clinical
epidemiology, and specifically address the role of immunogenetic and metabolic factors
in conditioning disease susceptibility/outcome in adult chronic conditions. He is
collaborating with the Italian Istituto Superiore di Sanit to a study on cardiovascular
risk factors in two representative populations from Northern and Southern Italy. Main
international collaborations: the Childrens Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati,
OH, USA (Prof. K.D.R. Setchell: GC-MS studies of bile acids in the pathogenesis and
treatment of chronic cholestatic diseases and Cystic Fibriosis (CF); assessment of the
efficacy of soy nutrients in diabetes; association between nutritional status, pulmonary
function, and diabetes development in CF); the Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and
Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA (Prof. M.E.
Gershwin: immunopathogenetic studies on Primary Biliary Cirrhosis (PBC)); Aarhus
University Hospital, Denmark (Prof. P.Jepsen: epidemiology of PBC, comparison
between population data from Denmark and Lombardia). He is presently developing
research interests and collaborations in the analysis and teaching of medical decision
making. He has been director of Research Unit in National projects granted by the
Italian Ministry of Research (2005; 2008). He is author of 85 original publications (full
papers) in international peer-reviewed journals with impact factor.

DIEGO BRANCACCIO, diego.brancaccio@unimi.it, MD, PHD Internal Medicine and
Nephrology. 1965 to 1980: Head of Dialysis Unit/Ospedale Policlinico; 1980 to 2004:
Director of Renal Dept., Ospedale San Paolo, Milan; 2004 to 2009: Associate Professor
of Nephrology, University of Milan; Director of the Renal and Dialysis Unit Simone
Martini in Milan and the Research Laboratory for Vascular Calcification at the University
of Milan since 2009. His main areas of research are: Ca/P/PTH and Vitamin D
Metabolism in CRF patients, Pathogenesis of Vascular Calcification, Vitamin D therapy
in uremic patients, Phosphare binders, Dialysis amyloidosis, and Outcome in CRF
patients. International co-operations: Prof Eduardo Slatopolsky, Washington University,
S Louis, Prof. Paolo Raggi, Dept of Cardiology, Emory University, Atlanta, and Prof.
Adeera Levin, Univ. British Columbia, S Paul Hospital, Vancouver, Canada. Author of
180 articles published in international journals indexed in PubMed.

PIER ALBERTO BERTAZZI MD, MPH. Pieralberto.bertazzi@unimi.it Pietro (Pier)
Alberto Bertazzi was born in 1945 and is professor of Occupational and Environmental
Medicine at the Medical School and Professor of Epidemiology in the post-graduate
School of Public Health at the University of Milan. He holds a joint appointment as
Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the National Institute for Health
Care and Scientific Research (IRCCS) Fondazione Ca Granda Policlinico in Milan,
Italy. He gained his MD from the University of Milan in 1971, and his post-graduate
degree in Occupational Medicine and a Masters degree in Preventive Medicine and

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Public Health from the same University in 1973 and 1977, respectively. He spent the
summer periods of 1973 and 1975 for advanced training in epidemiology at the Institute
of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. In 1979, after a further course in
epidemiology at the University of Minnesota, he spent the period from September 1979-
June 1980 as post-doctoral Fellow, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public
Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC, USA. He was Visiting Associate
Scientist at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, OH,
USA from July-September 1980. His main research interest covers the environmental,
occupational and personal determinants of health and disease.

CLAUDIA DELLAVIA, claudia.dellavia@unimi.it PhD (DDS, University of Milan, Italy,
1999; PhD in Morphologic Sciences, University of Milan, 2003). Assistant professor of
Human Anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Milan University. Research
work at the Dept. of Human Morphology and Biomedical Sciences Citt Studi. Her
main scientific interests are: 1) gross and functional anatomy of the stomatognathic
apparatus (analysis of mandibular and neck muscles, 3D reconstructions of jaw
movements, cranio-facial morphology), 2) microscopy of dental and periodontal tissues,
and 3) epidemiology of oral diseases. She has written more than 70 international
publications. She has scientific collaborations with the International University of
Catalogna (Barcelona, Spain), the University of Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, South
Africa), the Laboratory of Imaging and Microscopy (Horgen, Switserland), the
Biomatech (Lyon, France), and Khartoum University (Sudan).

STEFANO DUGA, stefano.duga@unimi.it PhD. Associate professor in Molecular
Biology at the Dept. of Biology and Genetics for Medical Sciences. His main research
interests concern: i) the genetic basis of Mendelian diseases (rare inherited coagulation
disorders, inherited hearing loss), ii) the post-transcriptional regulation of gene
expression (RNA splicing regulation), and iii) the genetic basis of complex disorders
(myocardial infarction, Parkinsons disease). He has had training experience at the
University of Zurich (1998, Basic Linkage Course) and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories
(2004, Genetics of Complex Human Diseases). He has received international awards
for his work in the field of inherited coagulation disorders - Bayer Haemophilia Award:
Early Career Investigator Award 2006 and Young Investigator Award 1999 from the
International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. He is author of 70 original
articles in peer-reviewed international journals cited in PubMed.

NICOLETTA GAGLIANO, nicoletta.gagliano@unimi.it degree in Biological Sciences,
University of Milan, Italy. PhD in Physiopathology of Ageing, Professor of Histology at

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the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of Milan University and Director of the Molecular
Biology Laboratory, Dept. of Human Morphology and Biomedical Sciences Citt Studi,
University of Milan. The main research topics are the study of extracellular matrix
remodelling, collagen turnover and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in various
pathological conditions such as fibrosis, gingival overgrowth, tumour invasion, and
spasticity. She has written 60 PubMed-indexed publications. She has scientific
collaborations with the Texas Tech University (USA).

DONATELLA LIPPI donatella.lippi@unifi.it Professor of History of Medicine at the
Florence Medical School. She is a scholar of Classics; her background also comprises
different specializations in Archaeology, Palaeography, Bioethics and History of
Medicine. Her main areas of interest concern the practice and the ideology of Medicine
in its relationship to historical and cultural contexts. She is author of many scientific
papers, of several books and monographies. Visiting Professor in many foreign
Universities, she is the Director of the Centre of Medical Humanities of the Faculty of
Medicine and Surgery of the University of Florence and journalist for the newspaper
Sole24Ore-Sanit.

ANNA MAROZZI, anna.marozzi@unimi.it, PhD in Experimental Haematology, MD,
Associate Professor of Applied Biology, degree in Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of
Medicine, University of Milan. Specialisation in Experimental Haematology at the
University of Milan, specialisation in Medical Genetics at the University of Milan. AIRC
Fellowship at the Gastrointestinal Oncology Unit, Cancer Centre, Massachusetts
General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Main research interest:
modification of the tumour and metastatic phenotype induced by MHC-I antigen
expression, human genome organisation, gene therapy of HIV-I infection, and the
genetics of premature menopause.

MONICA R. MIOZZO, monica.miozzo@unimi.it PhD, Doctor in Biological Sciences,
Associate Professor of Medical Genetics, PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
Director of the Postgraduate School in Medical Genetics, University of Milan. Research
interests: epigenetic signature modifications in imprinting diseases, X chromosome
inactivation pattern variations in females with predisposition for inherited breast cancer
and other rare diseases, and genetic causes of male infertility.

MAURO PODDA, mauro.podda@humanitas.it, PhD, MD, professor of Internal Medicine
since 1986. He has been responsible for the undergraduate courses of internal and
clinical medicine at medical Schools in Milan (the Policlinico and San Paolo hospitals)
and Palermo. He took part in the 2003 start-up of the Humanitas School of Medicine
and has been in charge of teaching internal medicine since then. Mauro Podda was
Chair of the postgraduate speciality Schools on liver disease (1996-2002) and Internal

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Medicine (2004-2009) of the University of Milan. Prof. Podda is currently head of the
Department of Medicine and director of the Internal Medicine Division at IRCCS Isituto
Clinico Humanitas. His research interests include the clinics and pathogenesis of
autoimmune liver diseases and the mechanisms of biliary secretion dysfunction. His
group includes both clinical and basic scientists and he has co-authored over 100
papers on peer-reviewed international journals during the past 5 years.

LAURA RIBONI , laura.riboni@unimi.it, degree in Biological Sciences. Post-doctoral
specialisation in Biochemistry. Present position: Professor of Biochemistry, Faculty of
Medicine at the University of Milan, Italy. Member of various national and international
scientific associations. Member of the Editorial Board and reviewer for various
international scientific journals. Invited speaker at several national and international
scientific congresses. Author of 80 papers on internationally refereed journals, 12
chapters in books and more than 150 communications to national and international
scientific congresses. Scientific collaboration with international scientific groups in
Spain, USA and Japan. Her main research topics are the biochemistry and functional
properties of biological membranes, the biochemistry of cancer, the structure,
enzymology, metabolism, transport and functional roles of sphingolipids in the nervous
system, and molecular mechanisms of sphingolipid-mediated signal transduction in
health and disease.

ENZO SANTANIELLO enzo.santaniello@unimi.it, has spent all his academic and
scientific life in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Milan, where he was
appointed Professor of Medical Chemistry in 1986. He was a post doctoral Fellow at
The Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology (Massachusetts, USA) from
September 1973 to October 1975, carrying out a research project related to the
stereochemistry of oestrogen biosynthesis. His scientific work has been devoted to
several aspects of research in Bio-organic Chemistry, mainly related to the synthesis of
bio-active compounds. He has published more than 150 papers in specialist
international journals of chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology.

CARLO SELMI carlo.selmi@unimi.it,MD and PhD in Internal Medicine and currently a
member of the Faculty of the Schools of Medicine of both the University of Milan
(since2006) and the University of California, Davis (since 2005).
Between 2001 and 2004 he worked as a post-doctoral researcher at the Division of
Rheumatology, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology of the University of California, Davis.
An Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Milan since 2006, he
currently works as a physician scientist at the IRCCS Istituto Clinico Humanitas in

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Rozzano (MI) where he leads the Autoimmunity and Metabolism Laboratory within the
Division of Internal Medicine. From a clinical standpoint he is the temporary Director of
the Division since novembre 2010 where he follows inpatients admitted from the
emergency department along with patients with chronic liver and immune-mediated
diseases following elective admissions. His research interests include the molecular
mechanisms of autoimmune diseases and the effects of nutrition on the immune
function. Carlo Selmi serves in the editorial board of several international journals and
he has co-authored over 150 original publications in peer-reviewed journals in the past
10 years with a total impact factor exceeding 700 and an H index of 25.

CHIARELLA SFORZA chiarella.sforza@unimi.it , University of Milan, Italy, Professor of
Human Anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Milan and Director of the
Laboratory of Functional Anatomy of the Stomatognathic Apparatus (Dept. of Human
Morphology and Biomedical Sciences Citt Studi, University of Milan). Main research
topics: functional anatomy of the stomatognathic and locomotor systems, anatomical
bases of stomatognathic function and dysfunction. She has written 210 PubMed-
indexed publications. She taught at the Universities of San Paolo (Brazil), Santiago
(Chile) and Moscow (Russia) and has scientific collaborations with the same
universities and Medellin (Colombia), Khartoum (Sudan), Rouen (France), and Toronto
(Canada).

TELMO PIEVANI, telmo.pievani@unimib.it, PhD, Associate Professor in Philosophy of
Science, Department of Human Sciences for Education Riccardo MassaUniversity of
Milan Bicocca. He is author of 121 publications (Bicocca Open Archive:
http://boa.unimib.it), included several books. Engaged in several projects regarding
communication of science in Italy, he is former Secretary of the Scientific Board of
Genoa Science Festival and Scientific co-Director of Rome Festival of Sciences.
Member of the Scientific Board of Darwin Day Celebrations at the Natural History
Museum of Milan, he is Director of Pikaia, the Italian website dedicated to evolution
and philosophy of biology (www.pikaia.eu). With Niles Eldredge he directed the
scientific Atlas of the future of the earth Ecosphere (UTET De Agostini, Turin, 2010).
With Niles Eldredge and Ian Tattersall, he was the Curator of the Italian edition of the
International exhibition Darwin 1809-2009 (Rome, Milan, Bari, 2009-2010;
www.darwin2009.it). With Luigi Luca Cavalli Sforza he is preparing a new International
exhibition, dedicated to human evolution and the research project genes, peoples and
languages, hosted in Rome, November 2011-February 2012, at the Palace of
Expositions. He is a columnist for the Italian newspaper Il Corriere della Sera, and
journals Le Scienze, Micromega and LIndice dei Libri. He is Fellow of Italian Society of
Evolutionary Biology; Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti, Class of Sciences,
Venice; Umberto Veronesi Foundation for the progress of sciences, Milan; Istituto

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Italiano di Antropologia, Steering Board, Rome. Complete CV and publications at:
www.formazione.unimib.it (people)

LUCIA ZANNINI lucia.zannini@unimi.it, is Associate Professor of Pedagogy at the
Faculty of Medicine. She has taught pedagogy and patient education in many degree
courses of the Milan Faculty of Medicine: Medical School, Paediatric Nursing,
Physiotherapy, Psychomotor Rehabilitation, Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Social work.
Pedagogy is also taught in many Master programs for healthcare professionals, in
which Prof. Zannini teaches continuing professional development. She has been a
member of the board of the Italian Society for Healthcare Education (Societ Italiana di
Pedagogia Medica).
She is involved in research projects that study innovative healthcare training, medical
humanities and patients illness experience. She participated, as group facilitator, in the
first workshop on narrative medicine held in Italy by the Columbia University. She has
lectured and published on the ways in which narrative training and reflective writing
helps to increase empathy and reflection in healthcare students and professionals.


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10. TIMETABLE 1
ST
SEMESTER

Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
26/9
1030-1330

Introductory mathematics,
graphical representation,
international unit system
1330 1430 Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break
1430 1630

Atom structure: electronic
configuration and periodic
table
1630 1830

Presentation of the course.
Introduction to histology.
From tissue sample
collection to the observation
at the microscope.

27/9
930 1130

From atomic to hybrid
orbitals: the shape of
molecules. Chemical bonds
and molecular orbitals
1130 - 1330

Forces and motion.
students at work in small
groups, forces in the
human body
1430 1530

Forces in the human body
(small groups)
1530 - 1730

Instruments for
morphological analysis and
biomedical applications: not
simple microscopes.

1730 - 1830
28/9
930 1130

Intermolecular forces.
Solutions and colligative
properties
1130 - 1330

Concept of energy in
macroscopic and
microscopic systems,
energy conservation and
dissipation

- 76 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1430 1530

Tutorial
1530 - 1730

Moles, concentration and
osmotic pressure
1730-1830

29/9
930 1130

Strong electrolites.
Equilibria; Kw and pH
1130 - 1330

Statistical model of gases,
temperature and related
concepts
1430 1530

Body temperature-
regulation: suggestions for
homework (small groups)
1530 - 1730

A journey into the cell: from
outside to cell
compartments

1730 - 1830

30/9
930 1130

Bronsted-Lowry theory:
acids and conjugated
bases; Ka and Kb
1130 - 1330

Equipartition of energy and
entropy
1330 - 1430 Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break
1430 1530

1530 - 1630

1630 1730

1730 - 1830

3/10
930 1130

Polyprotic acids (carbonic
and phosphoric)- Buffer
solutions

- 77 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1130 1330

Tutorial
1430 1530 Q&A
1530 - 1730 Vessicle trafficking.
Exocytosis and endocytosis.
Lysosomes. Peroxisomes.
Mitochondria.

1730-1830
4/10
930 1130 Redox reactions
1130 1330

pH of strong and weak acids
1430 1630

A journey through the cell:
from the nucleus to the cell
cycle. Introduction to tissues

1630 1830

5/10
930 1230 Medicine and society
Seminar: History of the drug
Medicine and society
Medicine and society
1330 1500

1530 - 1630
1730 1830
6/10
930 1130

pH buffer solution
1130 1330

Redox
1430 1630

Introduction to epithelia. Cell
junctions and cytoskeleton

1630 1830

7/10
930 1130

Redox reactions and related
energy (principles of
electrochemis
1130 1330

Fluids
1430 1530
1530 - 1630

1630 1730


- 78 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1730- 1830

10/10
930 -1130

Introduction to organic
chemistry: alkanes and
isomers
1130 - 1330

Solution of some
problems.blood as a fluid
(small groups)
1430 1630

Lining Epithelia:
classification and
localizations

1630 - 1830
11/10
930 -1130

Reactivity of alkanes and
alkenes
1130 - 1330

Guided discussion
1430 1630

Exocrine glands

12/10
930 1130

Functional groups (alcohols
and thioalcohols, phenols,
carbonyl compounds)
1130 - 1330

Model exam P&C
1430 1630

1630 - 1730

1730 1830

13/10
930 1130

Functional groups
(carboxlylic acids,
phosphoric esters, amines)
1130 1330

Lipids
1430 - 1630

Endocrine glands

- 79 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1730 1830
14/10
930 - 1130

Carbohydrates and
stereochemistry
1130-13-30

Organic chemistry
1430 1530
1530 - 1630

1630 - 1730

1730 1830

17/10
930 1130

Carbohydrates: reactions;
disaccarides and
polysaccarides
1130 1330

Amino acids
1430 1630

Connective tissue: cellular
components and
extracellular matrix

1630 1830

Tutorial at the microscope 1
Lining epithelia.

18/10
930 -1130

Amino acids and Proteins
1130 1330

Proteins
1430-1630 Connective tissue:
connective tissue proper

1630 1830

Cell evolution and
organisation

19/10
930 1130

Enzymes
1130 1330

Nucleosides, nucleotides
and nucleic acids
14,30-16,30 Course contents & methods.
The meaning of the doctor-
patient relationship

1630 1730

1730 - 1830

20/10
930 1130

Nucleosides, nucleotides
and nucleic acids

- 80 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1130 - 1330
History of Medicine: trends,
sources, aims

1430 1630

Specialized connective
tissue: cartilage

21/10
930 1130
1130 1400
1430 1830
24/10
930 1130

Exam rehersal
1130 - 1330

tissue: bone and
osteogenesis

1330 1430 Lunch break Lunch break
1430 1630

Tutorial at the microscope
2: exocrine and endocrine
glands.

25/10
930 - 1130 The bio-psycho-social model
of medicine..

1130 1330

The nature of genetic
material: DNA &
chromosomes
1430 1630

tissue: blood and
hemopoiesis

1630 - 1830
26/10
930 - 1030

1030 - 1330 The doctor : movie analysis
and discussion through a
guided grid.


- 81 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1330 1430 Lunch break
1430 1630
1630 - 1830
27/10
930 - 1130

1130- 1330

The structure of eukaryotic
genes
1330 - 1430 Lunch Break Lunch break Lunch break
1430 - 1630

Lymphoid organs (lymph
nodes, spleen, thymus,
tonsils)

1630 - 1830 Work, environment and
health: the role of nature
and nurture in disease
causation and disease
prevention.

2/11

930 1130

1130 1230
1230 - 1330
1430 1630

1630 1830

3/11
930 1030
1030 - 1130
1130 1230

1230 - 1330
1430 1630
1630 1830
7/11
0930 - 1130

The mechanism of DNA
replication
1130 - 1330

Muscle:Skeletal and cardiac
muscle tissues.

1430 - 1630

Tutorial at the microscope 3:
connective tissues.

1630 1830
8/11
930 1030
1030 - 1230
1130 1330 History of the clinical
relationship


- 82 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1230 - 1330
1430 1630

Smooth muscle tissue .
Nervous tissue

1630 1830 The process of the clinical
reasoning
The hypothetic-deductive
process.

1730- 1830
9/11
930 - 1130
1130 1330 Telomerase and cancer
(Guest Speaker)
1430 1630
1630 -1800
10/11
930 1130
1130 1330

The mutability of the
genome & Mechanisms of
DNA repair
1430 1630

Nervous tissue (Synapses.
Neuroglia. Peripheral nerve
terminals). Principles of
organ architecture

1630 1830 Introduction to reflective
writing. Exercises.
Introduction to observational
activities in the clinical
environment

14/11
0930 1130

RNA transcription and
metabolism: the
transcriptome
1130 1330

Introduction. Male
gametogenesis. Testes and
cycle of the seminiferous
epithelium. Introduction to
genital ducts.


- 83 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1430 1630

Tutorial at the microscope 4:
muscle and nervous tissue.

1630 1830
15/11
930-1130

From tissues to body:
organs and systems.
Anatomical nomenclature

1130-1330 History of the concept of
health-care

1430 1630

Female gametogenesis.
Ovary and uterus.
Maturation of follicles and
menstrual cycleFemale
gametogenesis

1630 1730
16/11
930 1130

Intercommunication
between the body and the
environment (skin and its
appendages). From outside
to inside: topographical
hints

1130 1330

Alternative splicing in
physiology and pathology
(Guest Speaker)
1430 1630
17/11
930 1030
1030 - 1130
1130 1330

Molecular Biology
Translation and post-
translational modifications
1430 1630

Fertilization. Early stages of
the embryo development.
Segmentation. Morula.
Blastocyst implantation

1630 1730

1730 - 1830

21/11
1130 - 1330

Gastrulation. The notochord
and its role in embryo
development. Ectoderm,
endoderm and mesoderm
development.


- 84 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1430 - 1630

5: revision of all the tissues

1630 - 1830 Illness and care in the
literature
Analysis of selected
passages from a novel.

22/11
930 1030
1030 - 1130
1130- 1330 The regulation of gene
expression (part A)
1430 1630

Embryo annexes.
1630 - 1830

23/11
930 -1130
1130 1330 Medicine and Art, liaisons
dangereux

1430 1630
24/11
930 1130

1130 1330

The regulation of gene
expression (part B)
1430 1630

Planning is everything. The
4th week: establishing the
body plan

1630 - 1830

28/11
930-1030

1030 1130

1130 - 1330

6: revision of all the tissues.


- 85 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1430 1630

A place for everything and
everything in its right place.
Development of the
digestive system

1630 1830 The art of observation in
the clinical environment.

29/11
930-1030
1030 1130
1130- 1230
1230 1330
1430 1630
1630- 1730

1730 1830

30/11
930-1130

Through stormy seas and
acid rainsEsophagus,
gastrointestinal tract,
pancreas and liver (Part I)

1130 - 1330

Tutorial/Microscopic: the
digestive system

1430 1630
1/12
930-1030

1130 1330

Strange landscapes and
narrow passageways
gastrointestinal tract ,
pancreas and liver (Part II)

1430 1630

Tutorial at the microscope:
The digestive system

1630 - 1730

1730 1830

5/12
930-1130 Recombinant DNA
1130-1330 Shall we breath?
Development of the lower
respiratory tract.


- 86 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1430 1630

1630-1830 Knowing the illness
experience: the importance
of embodiment and action to
cognition. Lessons learned
from Francisco Varela,
biologist

6/12
1130-1330

Respiratory system Every
breath you take

1330-1430 Lunch break Lunch break Lunch break
1430 1630

the respiratory system

12/12
930 1130

Polymerase chain reaction
and DNA sequencing (from
single genes to whole
genomes)
1130 - 1330

Urogenital system.
1430 1530

1530- 1630

1730 1830

13/12
930 - 1130 PBL - I session Group I

930 - 1130 PBL - I session Group II

930 - 1130 PBL - I session Group III

930 - 1130 PBL - I session Group IV

1130 - 1330

Urinary system The
cathedral of water

1430 1630 Tutorial at the light
microscope: Reproductive
system , Endocrine system

1630 - 1830

1830 1900
15/12
930-1130 Conclusions

- 87 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1130- 1330 Reproductive system
Procreation and Recreation

1330 1430 Lunch break
Lunch break Lunch break
1430 - 1630

Reproductive system.
Endocrine system

1630-1730

1730-1830

19/12
930-1130

PBL II Session
930-1130

PBL II Session
930-1130

PBL II Session
930-1130

PBL II Session
1130-1230

Take home messages (all
groups)

1230-1330


Lunch break

1330-1530 Pharyngeal apparatus.Once
there was a fish

1730 1830
20/12
930 1130
1130 - 1330

Organ structure 6 the larynx
A "sound" structure

1330 1430


Lunch break
1430 1630

1630 - 1730

1730 1830

9/1
930-1130

1130 - 1330

Organ structure 7 Vascular
system Coming and going

1430 1630

Tutorial at microscope:
vessels, lymphoid organs

1630- 1730

1730 1830

10/1
930 1030

Layout of the vascular
system. Home-plumbing.

1030 1130

1130 1330

1330 1430

Lunch break
1430 1630
11/1
930-1030

1030 1130


- 88 -
Date Time
INTRODUCTION TO
MEDICAL PROFESSION
HUMAN BODY
FROM ATOMS TO CELLS
1130 - 1330

Development of the
cardiovascular system, fetal
circulation, neonatal
circulation. The declaration
of Independence.

12/1
930-1130

1130 -1330 Heart and pericardium. At
the heart of it all.

1330-1430

Lunch break
1730 1830

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